State and Regional News

    The Missouri Department of Transportation has received recognition from the American Association of Highway Transportation Officials and the Mid-Missouri chapter of the Public Relations Society of America for its Buckle Up Phone Down campaign.

    Safety belt usage in Missouri has climbed to its highest rate ever. The latest Missouri Seat Belt Usage Survey, which has been taken annually since 1998, shows 87.1 percent of Missourians use a safety belt. In 1998, that figure was 60 percent.

Missouri’s unemployment rate tied a record low in October, edging down another tenth of a point to 3.1 percent.  In the history of the data set, the only other time the state’s unemployment dropped this low was from October 1999 to January 2000. The unemployment data series goes back to 1976.

    Lieutenant Colonel Eric T. Olson, acting superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone that being courteous and attentive drivers increases safety on our roadways. Driving with the highest degree of care is everyone's responsibility. Expect an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday, which makes following all traffic laws even more important.