Missouri’s “Buckle Up Phone Down” Safety Initiative Gaining National Attention, Momentum

The Missouri Department of Transportation’s “Buckle Up Phone Down” safety initiative is being recognized nationally for its success in saving lives on Missouri highways.

According to a news release, the National Association of Development Organizations, also known as NADO, gave the “Buckle Up Phone Down” endeavor an Excellence in Regional Transportation Award, which recognizes noteworthy projects and practices that help meet regional needs through various program areas, including safety.

In addition, the “Toward Zero Deaths” consortium selected the Show Me State’s BUPD program as a model case study in improving the state’s safety culture and saving lives.

These recent recognitions help support MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna’s emphasis areas as president of the American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials: to renew a focus on safety as a national public health crisis and to begin tackling this epidemic by taking Missouri’s successful “Buckle Up Phone Down” safety initiative to the national level.

As a result, three other states – Wisconsin, Nebraska and Kentucky – are actively promoting the BUPD movement, while 11 states have expressed interest in taking up the cause and spreading the BUPD safety message.