The Missouri State Highway Patrol is out in force during the Memorial Day holiday.
The patrol participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) during the long holiday weekend. This means every available officer will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists. In addition, the patrol will assign troopers to 20-mile intervals along Interstates 35, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. 60 and 63 on May 24 and May 27.
Troopers taking part in the 20-mile trooper enforcement project will be alert for all traffic offenses, and be especially vigilant to aggressive driving violations.
Motorists or boaters in need of assistance or who want to report a crime should use the highway patrol’s emergency assistance number at 800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. For road condition reports, travelers can visit www.mshp.dps.mo.gov and click on the road condition icon to view road construction areas throughout the state or call 888-275-6636.
Over the 2012 Memorial Day holiday weekend, nine people died and 355 were injured in 944 traffic crashes. Last year, 184 persons were arrested for DWI. This year’s fatality counting period for the holiday weekend began at 6 p.m. Friday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Troopers will focus their attention on seat belt use, use of child safety seats, intoxicated drivers and speed violations.
Motorists are encouraged to be safe and courteous drivers. Speed, inattention and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes.