Missouri Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Deaths Lowest In 25 Years
Missouri Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Deaths Lowest In 25 Years
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers stepped up enforcement
activities over the 2009 Thanksgiving holiday weekend by participating
in two enforcement programs. Troopers participated in the national
Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) enforcement
program throughout the holiday weekend. As a part of the Operation
C.A.R.E. program, all available officers were assigned to work over the
holiday period to provide maximum manpower during this busy travel
time. As an added enforcement program, troopers also participated in a
10-mile trooper program on selected major traveled highways, to include
interstate and some heavily traveled U.S. highways, from 12 p.m. to
midnight on November 25, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on November 29,
2009. During this enforcement program, troopers were assigned at
10-mile increments on these major highways across the state enforcing
traffic laws and assisting motorists.
Statewide enforcement contacts for the two separate 10-mile trooper
program days are as follows:
Total Arrests 1,957
Total Warnings 2,423
A breakdown of some of the enforcement contacts are as follows:
Driving While Intoxicated 11
Exceeding Speed Limit 1,150
Careless & Imprudent Driving 8
Failure To Yield 6
Seat Belt Violations 236
Child Restraint Violations 17
Following Too Close 29
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement 23
Hazardous Moving Violations 38
Non-moving 181
No Driver's Lic./Revoked/Suspended 72
Uninsured Motorists 88
Minor In Possession Of Alcohol 2
Misdemeanor Drug Arrests 13
Misdemeanor Warrant Arrests 67
Felony Arrests 13
(This includes Felony DWI, Drugs, and Warrants)
It was originally reported that two persons had been killed in
Missouri traffic crashes over the four day 2009 Thanksgiving holiday
counting period. However, due to a late death of a traffic crash
victim, that number has increased to three traffic deaths for the
counting period. Missouri has not experienced this few traffic deaths
over the Thanksgiving holiday counting period since 1984, when three
deaths were reported that year as well.
“The Missouri State Highway Patrol takes holiday weekends very
seriously,” stated Missouri State Highway Patrol Superintendent,
Colonel James F. Keathley. “Taking the job of driving seriously, and
remembering to buckle up will help reduce the number of traffic crashes
and fatalities all year long.”
NOTE: The fatality statistics in this news release could change if
late deaths occur, or if other departments report fatal traffic crashes
after this news release is sent out.
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