Area troopers are stepping up enforcement for the Thanksgiving holiday as people hit the roadway.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the counting period for the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 29, 2015. During the 2014 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 18 people were killed and another 469 were injured in 1,151 traffic crashes. That means traffic crashes killed or injured one person every 12.6 minutes in Missouri over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Troop H will also be participating in Thanksgiving Holiday weekend enforcement operations.

Throughout the holiday weekend, troopers within Troop H and throughout the state will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., Troop H will also be participating in a statewide special enforcement operation during the peak travel periods on Wednesday, November 25, and Sunday, November 29. During this operation, troopers will be assigned to 20-mile stretches of Interstate 35. Enforcement efforts on secondary roads will be conducted during the same timeframe within Troop H. Over the entire holiday weekend troopers will be vigorously enforcing all traffic laws and helping motorists in need of assistance.

“We expect traffic patterns to be affected by the upcoming holiday as people make their way home for Thanksgiving,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “It’s important that everyone obey all traffic laws, be courteous drivers, and wear a seat belt. Pay attention when you’re driving and put the cell phone down. That text or phone call can wait until you’re off the roadway. If alcohol is part of your holiday celebration, plan to have a designated driver. On behalf of the employees of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, I wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”

The Highway Patrol’s Emergency Assistance number is 1-800-525-5555 (or *55 on a cellular phone). Motorists should use this emergency assistance number to report traffic crashes, crimes being committed, or other emergencies on Missouri’s highways. When you dial this number anywhere in the state, it rings directly into the closest Patrol headquarters.