Mo. traffic fatalities at lowest point since 1947

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The year 2013 was the safest on Missouri roads in more than six decades.

Preliminary figures released Thursday by the Missouri State Highway Patrol show 741 people died in traffic crashes last year.

Patrol Capt. Tim Hull says that's the lowest number since 683 people died on Missouri roads in 1947.

Missouri officials have placed an emphasis on reducing traffic fatalities in recent years.

The Department of Transportation has installed cables in the medians of some four-lane highways to prevent cross-over crashes and rumble strips on the sides to warn drivers when they are close to running off the road.

Since 2005, Missouri traffic fatalities have declined 41 percent.

Of those killed in crashes last year, 63 percent were not wearing seat belts as they were required to do.