The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds Texas County motorists to expect a change in traffic patterns during the Labor Day weekend. Many families will plan one
last special outing to mark the end of summer.
The Labor Day counting period will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, and end at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Last year, nine people were killed and 473 persons were injured in 1,026 traffic crashes occurring during the Labor Day holiday counting period. The patrol, along with local law enforcement, will participate in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), as well as the You Drink, You Drive, You Lose campaign (Aug. 19 through Sept. 7) during this holiday weekend.
If you choose to drink this Labor Day holiday, choose a designated driver, the patrol says.
“The patrol has zero tolerance for drunk driving,” said Col. James F.
Keathley, superintendent of the patrol. “Troopers are vigilant in their
quest to remove intoxicated drivers from Missouri’s roadways.”
Keathley urges drivers to obey Missouri’s traffic laws, and watch
for changes in traffic patterns due to the number of travelers or road
construction. “Everyone in the vehicle should buckle up. The patrol, along
with other state and local law enforcement agencies, has worked diligently
to decrease traffic fatalities in Missouri through educational and
enforcement programs,” said Keathley. “To help ensure everyone’s
safety, offer assistance and enforce Missouri’s traffic laws, the highway
patrol will schedule every available officer to patrol the roadways. In
addition, troopers will be assigned to 10-mile increments along Interstates
29, 44, 55 and 70 in an effort to increase awareness and safety.”
The Missouri State HighwayPatrol and law enforcement agencies across the state are participating inHigh Enforcement Action Teams until Sept. 7. This cooperative effort has a mission of reducing the number of fatal and injury traffic crashes during the 70 most dangerous days of the year.
Travelers needing assistance or reporting a drunk or careless driver, illegal activity on the highways or a stalled motorist can call the patrol’s emergency hotline at 800-525-5555 or on a cellular phone, dial *55. To receive the latest road conditions for major Missouri highways, motorists may call the patrol’s road condition hotline at 800-222-6400 or 573- 526-8828.