JEFFERSON CITY – As Memorial Day weekend approaches and Missourians hit the road to start their summer travels, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be cautious, patient and use good judgment when traveling, especially through work zones. On an average day, there are nearly 800 work zones on Missouri’s 34,000 miles of state roadways, ranging from construction on bridges, interchanges, and roads to daily maintenance work. In 2023, there were 4,563 crashes including 36 people killed in work zone crashes.
Impaired driving, distracted driving, excessive speeds, and not wearing seat belts are just a few of the concerns that can accompany the increased Memorial Day weekend traffic. In Missouri, 14 people were killed and 60 were seriously injured in crashes over Memorial Day weekend last year. So far in 2024, 70% of the people killed in crashes on Missouri roads were not wearing a seat belt.
“Staying alert and focused when behind the wheel is what keeps your family and other families safe. With Memorial Day being the start of the summer travel season, it’s important to remember the responsibility you carry every time you get behind the wheel,” said State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood. “Buckle up, put your phone down, slow down and drive sober so everyone can reach their destination safely this Memorial Day weekend and all summer long.”
Drivers can stay informed of road conditions, delays and work zone locations on MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org, also available as a free mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, road work will not take place between noon on Friday until 9 a.m. Tuesday, but some work zones include permanent lane restrictions.