NORTHEAST MISSOURI -- Fewer people died on Missouri roads last year than in 60 years.

Back in 2008, the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety set a goal of less than 850 fatalities a year.

The coalition is made up of MODOT, law enforcement and safety advocates who target the problem of traffic crashes in the Show-Me-State.

That goal was achieved last year. But while more people walked away from traffic crashes last year, 821 victims still lost their lives.

That's a number no one is happy with.

The Missouri Highway Patrol says there are several reasons why traffic fatalities are down. The Show-Me-State has improved highways and has added more four-lane roads than ever before.

Sgt. Brent Bernhardt with Troop B says motorists are driving better. The Highway Patrol also has stepped up patrols geared specifically towards reducing the number of traffic crashes.

Sgt. Bernhardt said, "We look at statistics and we look at areas with increased crashes occuring there and we focus on those areas."

According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, 30 percent of traffic fatalities are due to impaired driving from things like alcohol and drugs.

The leading cause of all crashes is inattention behind the wheel, including cell phones and texting.

Sgt. Bernhardt said, "When people are texting, they are taking their eyes off the roads 60 percent of the time."

Sgt. Bernhardt says drivers have to make the right choices when they climb into their car, and one of them is to wear a seatbelt. Half of the people who died in Missouri last year...didn't buckle up -- an act that could have saved their lives.

Troop B has already seen two traffic fatalities in 2011. Both happened in Lewis County.