Deadly Driving in Missouri

In 2018, the state of Missouri ranked “12th in the country for deadliest roads” based on data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  According to its report, “the top 10 most dangerous states had a larger share of rural roads than the national average.” In 2012, Time Magazine reported St Louis was a “runner-up for the most dangerous intersection in the U.S.”

Missouri’s rural roads are more dangerous than it’s urban roads

In Missouri, 97.4% of the state’s land is rural. It’s a big factor in the state’s fatality rate. Rural roads are more dangerous than city streets. They are narrow, increasing the possibility of a head-on collision. It’s often not safe to pass.There are no street lights. Wildlife can dart into the road. Some people speed and drive in the middle of the road, figuring they won’t get caught.

In 2016, 583 people were killed on rural roads in Missouri, according to statistics compiled by the Department of Public Safety and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

There are dangerous roads in St. Louis too

In 2017, there were “at least five fatal wrecks on Riverview Drive,” according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Stories almost every month in the paper and on TV about traffic accidents confirm the frequent death toll and serious injuries on St. Louis streets. Drivers should stay alert every time they get behind the wheel.

• Aug. 2018 St. Louis Post Dispatch: “1 dead after head-on crash on Riverview Drive near Chain of Rocks in St. Louis”
• Sept. 2018 St. Louis Post Dispatch: “1dead after crash ejects 3 people from car at Kingshighway and Vandeventer”
• Sept. 2018 KMOV-TV: “Toddler, 2 adults hospitalized after rollover crash in north St. Louis County”
• Oct. 2018 St. Louis Post Dispatch: “2 people killed, 6 children injured on deadly section of Riverview Drive in St. Louis”
• Nov. 2018 St. Louis Post Dispatch: “Woman killed in head-on crash in Berkeley”

Wayne Wright’s advice for drivers trying to stay safe

The Safety Council of Greater St. Louis is a non-profit public service organization chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1916. Its classes teach defensive driving skills and are approved for those with traffic violations in Missouri that require 4 to 8 hours of training. “Alive at 25” is a defensive driving class for newly licensed drivers from 15-24 to help them stay safe.

Call Wayne Wright if you have an accident

Wayne Wright is one of America’s top trial lawyers. For 40 years, he has been successfully representing accident victims. His national legal awards are based on the top dollar awards he wins for clients. He does not charge by the hour. You will only pay fees when Wayne Wright wins your case. Calls and evaluations are free.