Buckle up, phone down

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed October 16th as Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri and fellow Missourian and former race car driver Carl Edwards is lending his famous name to the cause, all in an effort to encourage Missourians to take two simple actions to save lives on the state’s highways – fasten their seatbelts and put their phones down while driving. As part of the promotion, Missourians are invited to join in a virtual Buckle Up Phone Day kickoff event that will launch at 9 a.m. Friday on MoDOT’s Facebook page. This is the fourth year MoDOT and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with safety partners throughout the state, will mark Buckle Up Phone Down Day with events and activities designed to encourage drivers to buckle up and avoid cell phone use. In addition to Missouri, 3 other states Kentucky, Nebraska, and Wisconsin have adopted the BUPD program, and eight states have expressed an interest in using the BUPD message and logo. Since the program began in 2017, more than 13,000 individuals and businesses have accepted the BUPD challenge to always wear their seat belts and put their phones down while driving.