Deaths From Truck Accidents Decrease in Missouri

Missouri transportation officials say fatal accidents involving trucks and commercial vehicles has dropped roughly 50 percent in five years.

The Department of Transportation says Missouri had 88 commercial vehicle accidents resulting in fatalities in 2009. That was down from 173 in 2005.

The number of deaths resulting from those accidents also fell, from 205 in 2005 to 89 last year.

Transportation officials attribute the decline partly to fewer crossover accidents on divided highways.

They also note the installation of rumble strips that help drivers say within driving lines, and better emergency response times in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Officials also point out that passenger cars and commercial vehicles have been traveling slightly less because of the economy.