You’ll see extra Missouri state troopers Wednesday and Sunday on most interstates.
The State Highway Patrol’s 2016 Thanksgiving holiday enforcement period begins Wednesday evening at 6 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. Missouri Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz says that during the 2015 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 13 people were killed and another 627 were injured in 1,817 traffic crashes.
“So roughly, a person was killed or injured every 9.6 minutes in Missouri over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday weekend,” says Hotz.
Captain Hotz tells Missourinet that state troopers are being assigned to 20-mile intervals Wednesday (November 23) and Sunday along Interstates 29, 35, 44, 55 and 70, as well as Highways 60 and 63. It’s part of Operation C.A.R.E., which stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort.
Troopers are enforcing all traffic laws and are assisting motorists as needed.
“We’ll be very close if somebody does have trouble out there on the roadway, we’ll have troopers who are very close who can get to them very quickly and get them on their way in a safe manner,” Hotz says.
The Missouri Highway Patrol’s emergency assistance number is 1-800-525-5555. Hotz encourages motorists to call *55 on their cell phone to report traffic crashes, crimes being committed or other emergencies. When you dial that number anywhere in the state, it rings directly into the closest Patrol headquarters.
