The State of Missouri has seen a dramatic drop in traffic fatalities since 2005.

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announced some encouraging year-end statistics from the highways of the Show Me State.

Missouri recorded 741 traffic fatalities in 2013. This is a 41 percent decrease from the 1,257 fatalities recorded in 2005.

Each year for the past seven year period, with the exception of 2012’s slight increase, the number of traffic deaths has dropped.

This is only the second time since 1949 that Missouri has experienced less than 800 traffic fatalities.

The total number of traffic crashes has decreased as well. While the total crash information for 2013 is not available at this point, from 2005 to 2012 the total of all Missouri traffic crashes decreased 21%.

“This is an important trend that the Patrol would like to see continue,” said Col. Replogle. “Every trooper is committed to working with other agencies to further reduce the number of traffic deaths in our state. We believe education and enforcement encourage safe driving, which results in fewer traffic fatalities. I want to thank the public for helping to make this year safer than last year.”

Of the 741 people killed in traffic crashes in 2013, 63% of those required to be restrained, were not at the time of the crash. The Patrol encourages motorists to protect themselves by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint.