Highway traffic deaths in Missouri are up nearly 20% from this time last year. "It is hard to understand," said Sgt. Andy Bell, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "You have to ask yourself, 'What are we doing? Are we doing enough?'"Traffic deaths on Missouri highways are up 17% from last year, and those not wearing a seat belt killed in crashes are up to 69% from a normal average of 50%."Those numbers are compelling," Bell said.And troopers are troubled by the numbers."Do you have enough troopers out on the highway? Are we producing quality speed saturation projects, utilizing our aircraft," Bell said.Bell said that conversations are happening right now in Jefferson City to try and curb the growing numbers."It is hard to understand what has changed," Bell said.He said that since the stay-at-home order, people started speeding a lot. Since it was lifted, drivers have not slowed down very much, and for some reason, people are not buckling up."The No. 1 one safety device in all vehicles; it takes a second to put on," Bell said.The Highway Patrol said that it plans to do more with social media campaigns and put more troopers out on the roads. Bell said that speeding and lane violations caused by texting and driving are the biggest contributors to the fatal accidents right now.