MISSOURI (KFVS) - The Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to be safe ahead of the holiday and winter seasons as the number of deadly crashes is already trending closer to 2024’s count.

To date in 2025, according to MoDOT, more than 700 people have died on Missouri roads. Of those killed, they say more than half were unbuckled.

In addition, they say distracted driving is also the leading cause of crashes in the state.

The department’s effort to prevent any more deadly crashes coincides with the state’s 9th annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day on October 29.

“We’ve made great progress in reducing fatalities each of the last two years, but in the last few months that progress has slowed significantly,” said MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson. “Even

See Full Page