Buckle up and put your phone down. Governor Mike Parson has proclaimed today as Buckle Up Phone Down Day in Missouri in an effort to encourage Missourians to take these two simple actions when driving, to save lives on the state’s highways. Missouri’s 2021 Seat Belt Usage Survey showed 88% of vehicle occupants use a seat belt, matching the highest rate the state has ever recorded. But the unbuckled 12% make up a majority of the state’s roadway fatalities, which spiked in 2020 despite a decrease in traffic volume. More than two-thirds of the drivers and passengers killed in traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seat belt. Cellphone use continues to be one of the most concerning behaviors for all roadway users. In 2020, nearly 60% of the distracted driving fatalities in Missouri claimed the life of someone besides the distracted driver. You can accept the challenge to Buckle Up Phone Down, at modot.org/bupd.