Missouri State Highway Patrol Urges Thanksgiving Weekend Driver Safety

Many Missourians are sure to travel over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend. If you are leaving St. Louis County and hitting the highways, the Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds motorists that this will change traffic patterns. Drivers also should be reminded to make sure your car is in good condition before beginning the trek to visit the family. Be well-rested before taking the wheel and of course, always buckle your seat belts.

To further efforts in decreasing traffic crashes and fatalities over the holiday weekend, the Patrol is conducting two special traffic enforcement projects. The first project is Operation C.A.R.E (Combined Accident

Reduction Effort). As part of this operation, all available officers will be assigned to Missouri’s roadways to enforce traffic laws, especially those related to drunk driving, speeding and seat belt use. Troopers also will be assisting motorists as needed. 

This weekend also will include a 20-mile Trooper Enforcement Operation. Troopers will work the road at 20-mile intervals along Interstates 35, 44, 55 and 70, as well as U.S. Highways 60 and 61.

According to the Patrol, Missouri currently is experiencing a nine percent reduction in traffic fatalities compared to the same time period last year.

The counting period for the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27. During the 2010 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, seven persons were killed and another 514 were injured in 1,383 traffic crashes. That means traffic crashes killed or injured one person every 11.7 minutes in Missouri over last year's Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“Spending time with your family is important," said Colonel Ron Replogle,  superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in a statement. "We want everyone to arrive at their Thanksgiving destination safely. Please obey all traffic laws, wear your seat belt and pay attention—that text or cell phone call can wait. If alcohol is part of your plan, don’t drink and drive.”

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.