Friday is Buckle Up Phone Down Day

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety are challenging you and those you know at home, work, school, or in your community to buckle up and put your phone down.                 

Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, is slated as “Buckle Up Phone Down Day”. The challenge is simple: when you get into any vehicle, buckle up your safety belt. If you are a driver, put the cellphone down. Turn it off if you have to. No texting and no talking unless hands free.

Six out of 10 people killed in 2016 Missouri traffic crashes were unbuckled. Since 2014 there has been a 20 percent increase in crashes involving cell phones.

All week long, employees and safety partners will be making special efforts to reach out to businesses and individuals alike.  “By buckling up and putting your phone down – even for one day – you will be doing your part to make Missouri’s roads safer. Let’s save lives and turn this day into a week, a month, and eventually every trip, every time,” said MoDOT Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood. 

The simple task of buckling everyone in the vehicle and choosing not to use your phone while driving can help save your life, the lives of your passengers, and occupants of other vehicles.

It’s time to join the movement and stand up and be counted. Take the challenge at http://www.modot.org/BuckleUpPhoneDown/. ARRIVE ALIVE.