Missouri LTAP

https://www.kcur.org/housing-development-section/2026-07-16/missouri-transportation-department-highway-speeds

Missouri transportation department to evaluate highways for speed limit increase to 75 mph Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a bill earlier this week that increases the maximum speed limit on rural interstates and freeways in Missouri to 75 miles per hour, up from 70.

Check the back seat! Prevent a hot car tragedy - never leave your child in the car.

In 2025, 31 children died of heatstroke in vehicles. You might think it could never happen to you, but all it takes is one distraction to make you think your child is right behind you. Every time you get out of your car, make sure all passengers are accounted for and the car doors are locked. Temperatures inside a car can become deadly in minutes, especially for small children more susceptible to overheating. Learn more to help prevent hot car deaths.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke

Law enforcement on lookout during Operation Safe Driver Week.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for July 12-18 with a focus on improving driver behaviors through education and outreach. Law enforcement will be pulling over drivers engaging in risky behaviors such as speeding, unsafe lane changes, and distracted or impaired driving. Data shows law enforcement interactions have a strong impact on reducing reckless driving behavior. Learn more.

https://cvsa.org/news/2026-osd-week/

Approved STIP details future transportation improvements.

Five-year plan funds projects for all modes of transportation.

https://www.modot.org/statewide-transportation-improvement-program-stip

The Rural Modes
Rural Road Safety Week 2026
July 13-17, 2026

https://ruralsafetycenter.org/rural-road-safety-awareness-week-2026/

The Missouri LTAP Summer newsletter for 2026 is now available!
Click on the link to download the newsletter.

https://www.mltrc.org/mltrc/Missouri_LTAP_Newsletter.asp

Wishing you a safe 4th of July! From all of us at Missouri LTAP.

Celebrate safely - the world is watching this July 4th

Don't let impaired or distracted driving ruin your holiday.

Summer is here and the Fourth of July is near. Whether your festivities include sparklers and a backyard barbecue, watching an extravagant firework show from a safe distance or enjoying a relaxing evening with friends, make sure everyone has a safe and sober ride home. Plan ahead, choose a designated driver or arrange alternative transportation so the celebration ends safely for everyone.

In 2025, 117 people died in crashes involving at least one substance-impaired driver, and 662 people were seriously injured. While these fatalities have been trending downward since 2023, substance-impaired driving is still a problem that continues to plague Missouri. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, slow reaction time and reduce coordination. Celebrate safely: If you can't plan to stay where you are, call for a sober driver or rideshare.

Distracted driving is another key contributor to traffic incidents during this time of year. Unexpected pops of lights and sounds in the sky from nearby fireworks can distract even the most focused drivers. Distracted driving fatalities reached an all-time high in 2023 and 2024, accounting for 106 fatalities each year. 2025 data shows distracted driving accounted for 97 fatalities, an 8% decrease from 2023 and 2024, but cellphone use continues to be a major contributing factor in distracted driving fatalities.

This data is an important reminder to resist the distracting temptations on the road, whether they're in the sky or inside your vehicle. Limit distractions by preparing navigation and music before you start driving, set your phone to Do Not Disturb and then put it down. If you need to answer a call while driving, make sure it's hands-free. Remember, it's the law.

The Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety reminds all road users to make safe and responsible choices this holiday. With the addition of hundreds of thousands of World Cup visitors to the state, this year's Independence Day celebrations will affect more people than ever before. Let's all work together to ensure everyone returns home safely.

Visit SaveMOLives for more information on MoDOT's efforts to reduce the number of fatalities in Missouri. The Show-Me Zero Plan outlines strategies and solutions everyone can implement to prevent crashes and move forward with zero lives lost on our roadways.

https://www.savemolives.com/mcrs

How will Missouri's transportation system look in 2050? State's new long-range plan charts the course ahead.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is mapping out the future with a new plan built on the voices of Missourians.

The state’s newly updated Long-Range Transportation Plan establishes a roadmap through 2050, looking at emerging technologies, trends and evolving needs across the entire transportation network.


MoDOT’s public outreach was critical to developing this plan. Giving Missourians the opportunity to help shape future transportation decisions ensures MoDOT develops goals and objectives for Missourians, by Missourians. The final plan reflects this feedback for all modes of transportation, enhancing the safety and reliability of the system for the future.

While results show driving remains the dominant mode of travel in the state, the plan also provides a summary of MoDOT's State Freight and Rail Plan. This assesses Missouri’s freight and passenger rail systems and determines short-term and long-term improvement goals. Updating both plans simultaneously ensures a coordinated and well-informed development process across the entire transportation system.

The 2026 Long-Range Transportation Plan can be viewed on MoDOT’s website. The updated State Freight and Rail Plan will be available in the coming months.
https://www.modot.org/sites/default/files/documents/LRTP_Final_Web_508.pdf

Video showcases how MoDOT uses drones to promote safety.

Drones are changing the way MoDOT does business. Having eyes in the sky allows for quick assessment of road conditions, monitoring of traffic control setups, education and more. A new video features MoDOT Northeast District Engineer Kevin James and Senior Traffic Studies Specialist Dalton Handling discussing the importance of drone technology and how the team in northeast Missouri is using it to streamline processes and protect workers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=315sbqrYYBk