Four people were killed on Missouri roads over Christmas. The Highway Patrol is reporting that two people were killed on Missouri highways. Two more were killed in Kansas City.

That’s down considerably from last year’s eleven fatalities.

Captain Tim Hull says this follows the trend of traffic fatalities being on the decline for the entire year. “As of this morning, we’re at 7 percent,” he said.

Kansas City’s Demitrus Slayden, 24, was killed Christmas morning when his car ran off the road and came to rest on ralroad tracks below.

Kansas City Police report that his vehicle crahsed through a fence on a Troost Avenue bridge near 19th Street before falling onto the tracks. No other cars were involved.

Another Christmas Day collision in Kansas City killed Detricia Rosalez when she was hit head-on. Police say she crossed the center line near 92nd Steet and struck an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the other car was treated for minor injuries.

Yesterday, Catherine Binger of Wappapello was killed near Poplar Bluff when her car ran off the road and struck a tree. The crash occurred on Missouri Route W. The patrol reports Binger was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash; Butler County Coroner Jim Akers pronounced Binger dead at the scene.

Another crash yesterday in Western Missouri’s Benton County has resulted in one death — details on that crash are not yet available.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to emphasize the decrease in crashes, injuries, and fatalities during the 2010 Christmas holiday counting period,” says Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Patrol. “Enforcement and education are two important factors in reducing the number of people killed and injured on Missouri’s roadways. The Patrol will continue to focus on both of these areas to make travel in our state safer.”

The patrol points to an increase in DWI arrests over 2009.

“If you drink and drive, remember: The Patrol has zero tolerance for this bad decision,” Replogle says. “Taking impaired drivers off the road will save lives.”