Troopers are asking drivers to use caution ahead of Labor Day travel after traffic fatalities jumped up 13 percent last weekend in Missouri.
As of August 17 519 people had died in traffic crashes so far this year in Missouri. That was up 13 percent from the same time last year.
As the Missouri State Highway Patrol prepares for the upcoming Labor Day holiday it’s reminding drivers to use caution.
In 2014, six people were killed and 369 injured in Missouri over the Labor Day holiday in 901 traffic crashes. Of that total, troopers worked 274 traffic crashes, which included 120 injuries and three of the fatalities over the 2014 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 94 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend.
The 2015 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6 p.m., Friday, September 4, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 7, 2015.
“The important theme here is: Drivers made errors resulting in traffic crashes. Traffic crashes can be prevented. Fatalities don’t have to happen,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson. “If your vehicle leaves the right side of the roadway, please follow these important steps: 1) Don’t panic and don’t overcorrect! 2) Ease off the gas pedal and stay off the brake pedal. 3) Turn your wheel about 1/8th of a turn to the left to get back on the road. When the tires hit pavement again, turn the wheel 1/4th of a turn to the right.”
The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. All available officers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and alcohol laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists.
Troopers throughout the state will participate in a special enforcement operation on September 4 and again on September 7. This operation will include Interstates 29, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. Highways 60 and 61. Troopers will be targeting all traffic violations, and be especially vigilant of aggressive driving violations.
“The Patrol encourages everyone to have a safe Labor Day holiday,” said Colonel Johnson. “Please buckle up in your vehicle and wear a life jacket on or near water. If you witness criminal activity or experience an emergency—whether you’re on a highway or on the water— call the Patrol’s Emergency Report Line at 1 (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate someone else to drive, whether you are in your boat or your car. Please don’t become a statistic.”