Rising traffic and fatalities at Joplin’s I-44 Exit 8 spark safety concerns

JOPLIN, Mo. — The investigation continues into a deadly interstate crash Tuesday – and it’s prompting some drivers to wonder if I-44’s Exit 8 is an especially risky spot to drive.

At speeds of at least 70 miles per hour and tens of thousands of vehicles a day, it would be a stretch to call I-44 risk-free.

“Even this summer, you know, two, two fatality crashes that involve tractor-trailers,” said JPD Capt. William Davis.

One factor is the level of traffic. MoDOT records show traffic is much busier at Exit 8, growing nearly 30% since 2004. It totals about 39,000 vehicles a day and factors in vehicles leaving or joining traffic

“It’s not just the Joplin area, you know, it’s not exclusive to Joplin. It’s any place there’s an entrance ramp and exit ramp, a high volume of traffic entering and leaving the interstate,” said Mo. Hwy. Patrol Cpl. Sam Carpenter.

Overall, Joplin police have recorded dozens of wrecks along the Joplin section of I-44 so far this year.

“In 2023 we had 58 crashes so far this year, in 2024 or 51, which you know, will take the slight decrease,” said Cpt. Davis.

And when there is a wreck, chances are it will be worse than one on a city street.

“Higher speeds mean higher impact grades, higher pace of, you know, rates of injury, higher percentage of serious and fatal injuries in a crash. We tell people to treat driving like a full-time job. You need to pre-plan your route. Know where you’re going,” said Cpl. Carpenter.

Defensive driving tactics that Joplin police hope more drivers will keep in mind, both on I-44 and in town.

“The ultimate goal would be zero. And you know, it goes back to everybody practicing all those safe driving behaviors and, you know, avoiding wrecks,” said Cpt. Davis.

There’s an extra challenge at the site of Tuesday’s wreck—fewer signs to direct drivers where they need to go. MoDOT is working to install new signs to replace the damaged one they had to take down yesterday.

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