At the Belton City Council meeting on October 14, 2025, the council adopted the BUPD resolution. Council Representative Carla Davidson read the resolution and Mayor Norman Larkey presented Belton High School students Mario Madera and David Benson with a copy! These students are a part of the Traction Teen Traffic Safety Program. Thank you for everything you do for roadway safety!

As we focus on Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD) in the month of October, the KC Coalition for Roadway Safety has many ways to get involved. One way is the BUPD Fence Cup installation. “So easy even a first grader can do it.” says Deb Huwar, KC District MCRS Representative. Pictured below is a young advocate at Belton’s Wilckens STEAM Academy and he is using the cups provided by us (KC-MCRS)! He also helped install the BUPD yard signs at this school and several others in the Belton School District.  

The Lafayette County Health Department, in partnership with MoDOT and MCRS, brought a unique hands-on learning experience to Immanuel Lutheran School last week. Over 70 students participated in the Smart Riders Smart Town Traffic Safety Garden, a program designed to teach children the fundamentals of roadway and pedestrian safety in a fun, interactive way. The course gave students the opportunity to practice real-world traffic scenarios in a safe, structured environment. Learning lessons about crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights, and the importance of being aware as both pedestrians and bicyclists. The event was supported by seven community volunteers, who helped guide students through the traffic safety garden and reinforce the program’s key messages. Their support ensured that each student received personal guidance while navigating the course. 

The Lafayette County Health Department, in partnership with MoDOT and MCRS, brought a unique hands-on learning experience to Immanuel Lutheran School last week. Over 70 students participated in the Smart Riders Smart Town Traffic Safety Garden, a program designed to teach children the fundamentals of roadway and pedestrian safety in a fun, interactive way. The course gave students the opportunity to practice real-world traffic scenarios in a safe, structured environment. Learning lessons about crosswalks, stop signs, traffic lights, and the importance of being aware as both pedestrians and bicyclists. The event was supported by seven community volunteers, who helped guide students through the traffic safety garden and reinforce the program’s key messages. Their support ensured that each student received personal guidance while navigating the course. 

Barry and Pathfinder 4th graders took their learning on the road at the “Traffic Garden!" Thanks to the Platte County Health Department (with funding from MODOT), students practiced bike and pedestrian safety at the YMCA Challenger Field parking lot, guided by these wonderful community partners, awesome PE teachers, and PCHS Got Character seniors.

Barry and Pathfinder 4th graders took their learning on the road at the “Traffic Garden!" Thanks to the Platte County Health Department (with funding from MODOT), students practiced bike and pedestrian safety at the YMCA Challenger Field parking lot, guided by these wonderful community partners, awesome PE teachers, and PCHS Got Character seniors.

Deb Huwar, KC MCRS, and Mary Cummings, MCRS KC Board Chair, participated in Belton’s (Cass County) National Night Out on Oct 7th. NNO is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and camaraderie. 

Deb Huwar, KC MCRS, and Mary Cummings, MCRS KC Board Chair, participated in Belton’s (Cass County) National Night Out on Oct 7th. NNO is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and camaraderie. 

MSHP Corporal Justin Ewing with the criminal justice students from the Northland Career Center in Platte City practicing their BUPD sign.

Sedalia PD Bike Patrol

Students at Harrisonville High School supporting the BUPD initiative. 

MCRS KC Board Member Breann Jensen presents a BUPD Proclamation to the Lafayette County Presiding Commissioner Harold Hoflander and Associate Commissioner Dane Pylmell.

The Buckle Up Phone Down Proclamation is presented by Councilmember Patty Johnson to Tessa Loveless and Beth Lancaster of the Belton High School TRACTION Team.

The Lafayette County Commission has officially proclaimed October 29, 2025, as “Buckle Up, Phone Down” Day, joining the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the Lafayette County Health Department, and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety in urging drivers to make safety a top priority.