Roadway Fatalities Decrease But Motorcycle Fatalities Drastically Increased For 2023

The number of roadway fatalities during 2023 across Missouri is a case of good news and bad news.

That’s according to the Missouri Department of Transportation which says preliminary data shows 989 fatalities occurred in 2023…a decrease of 6% compared to 2022. It’s also the first year to show a decrease from the previous year since 2019…that’s the good news.

The bad news, however, is that motorcycle fatalities have never been higher with 175 bike riders killed in 2023…a 14% increase over 2022.

A lack of seat belt use, distracted driving, speed, impairment and not wearing helmets while riding motorcycles continue to be the leading contributory causes of fatal traffic accidents across Missouri.