Wrap: THIS YEAR THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN 54 PEDESTRIAN DEATHS - AND THE GROWING STATISTIC IS ON TRACK TO SURPASS LAST YEAR'S TOTAL OF 57 PEDESTRIAN DEATHS. 

I TALKED TO THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OUTREACH COORDINATOR DEANNE RICKENBAUGH WHO SAID THAT THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS TAKEN NOTE OF THIS INCREASE, AND AS A RESULT IS LAUNCHING "BE SAFE, BE SEEN" A PEDESTRIAN SAFETY CAMPAIGN.

MODOT SUGGESTS A FEW TIPS FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY:

FIRST TIPS FOR DRIVERS:

-STAY ALERT

-SLOW DOWN

-SWITCH LANES IF YOU SEE A STOPPED CAR ON THE SHOULDER

AND TIPS FOR PEDESTRIANS:

-TURN ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS AND EMERGENCY LIGHTS - NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY

-WALK AGAINST TRAFFIC

-LOOK DRIVERS IN EYES TO GAGE HOW ALERT THEY ARE

*SHE WANTS TO STRESS THAT IF YOU ARE ON THE SHOULDER ON THE HIGHWAY, YOU SHOULD TRY TO STAY IN YOUR CAR WITH YOUR SEATBELTS FASTENED...

YOU CAN ALWAYS CALL STAR-FIVE-FIVE IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE FROM AN OFFICER.

MODOT WILL BE PROMOTING THIS PEDESTRIAN SAFETY CAMPAIGN ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND AT EVENTS IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THESE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS.

REPORTING LIVE FROM JEFFERESON CITY, ASHLEY MASSOW, KOMU 8 NEWS.