Missouri sees record number of pedestrian deaths in 2024
ST. LOUIS – The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a record number of pedestrian deaths in 2024 in a press release last week.
According to the release from Feb. 4, 148 pedestrians were hit and killed, a 16% increase from 2023—the highest number reported in the state.
'We still have a lot of work to do in Missouri, and we are especially concerned by the rising number of pedestrian fatalities in our state,' said Jon Nelson, State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer. 'We all have a responsibility to use the transportation system in a safe manner, and both drivers and pedestrians can make safe choices to help make this happen.'
MSHP reported that a significant percentage of those deaths were caused by individuals exiting their vehicles due to a prior collision or car breakdown on the side of the road.
In 2024, 133 motorcyclists were killed on Missouri roadways—a decrease of 23%, according to preliminary numbers, marking the lowest number of motorcyclist deaths since the all-ride helmet law was repealed in 2020.
ESPN's top baseball writer sounds alarm on Cardinals' stagnant offseason
The release reports that distracted driving, most particularly via cell phones, has been a consequential factor in relation to vehicular fatalities, contributing to more than 100 deaths in 2023 and 2024.
The Siddens-Bening Law, implemented in Aug. 2023, prohibits drivers from holding handheld electronic devices. The press release noted a positive effect since its implementation.
'Although we have seen a small decrease in fatal crashes in the state in 2024, it is important to remember that our work is not finished,' Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Mike Turner said. 'Preventing roadway fatalities begins with drivers remaining vigilant and conscientious about their driving habits by wearing their seatbelts, obeying the speed limit, and paying full attention to their surroundings while driving.'
Show-Me Zero, the state's strategic highway plan, serves as a safe system for Missourians to lower the chances of fatalities through education, personal responsibility, and more.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Officials launch investigation into false claims of New World screwworm in Missouri
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An investigation is underway after rumors began swirling about a New World screwworm in Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA). The Missouri State Highway Patrol's Rural Crimes Investigative Unit (RCIU) and the Livestock and Farm Protection Task Force said they are aware of a false statement made last week regarding New World screwworm in the state. Woman says former firefighter sexually abused her, fears he will avoid punishment According to the USDA, New World screwworm is a devastating pest that can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds – and in rare cases, people; when New World screwworm fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. The two groups, along with Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, are currently investigating this matter, according to the MDA. According to the MDA, this investigation is the result of a request on May 28 from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey and MDA Director Chris Chinn to discover the culprit and determine if this was an act with malicious intent to cause panic in agricultural markets. On May 27, the MDA said a false press release was sent to a northwest Missouri radio station. The information was quickly discovered to be false—but not before setting off a frenzy of animal health concerns, market scare and detriment to consumer trust, according to the MDA. This case is considered an open and active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control at 573-526-6122. RCIU focuses solely on the investigation of crimes unique to the agricultural industry and farming communities within the state of Missouri. Formed in 2009, RCIU was designed after successful undercover efforts that served to address increasing incidents of specific agriculture-related crimes. For more information about the RCIU, click here. For more information about the MDA and its programs, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
MSHP ask for help locating missing Raytown woman
KANSAS CITY, MO. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol is asking for the public's help in locating a woman who's been missing for over a month. Independence police chief on leave, fires back at 'baseless rumors' in FOX4 interview Police say Caitlin Blose, 34, has not been seen or heard from since April 21. Caitlin is described as a Caucasian woman, 5 feet 6 inches in height, and was last seen in the Raytown area. Caitlin is also described as having a '666' tattoo above her left eyebrow, a tattoo of an eye on both of her hands, an anatomical heart on her upper right arm and a lion on her left thigh. Park Hill District partners with Strategos for school protection specialists Police are especially concerned for Caitlin's well-being as they believe she may be experiencing mental health challenges. Anyone with any information on Caitlin's whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Raytown Police Department at (816) 737-6020. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Woman from Houston, Texas dies in SUV crash near Ozark
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, Mo. — The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that a 44-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, has died after her SUV crashed one mile north of Ozark on Wednesday, June 4. According to the crash report, a 2014 Dodge Durango was eastbound on Westwind Drive just before 4 p.m. when the SUV crossed into the opposite lane, traveled off the left side of the road and struck a tree. Sparta man faces jury trial for murder of father in 2023 The woman was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield, but was later pronounced dead by a doctor. This is the 50th fatality for MSHP Troop D in 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
