The number of traffic fatalities during the New Year’s holiday is up this year. The State Highway Patrol says eight people died in crashes across Missouri, which is an increase from the six traffic fatalities from the New Year’s holiday last year. Lieutenant John Hotz says the number of traffic fatalities in the state has increased three percent from 2011 to 2012.
Hotz says the bad weather could have been a likely cause. “We know of course that we had bad weather and some road conditions going on during the particular time frame,” he says. “And so, we were concerned about that as far as people getting out there and driving.”
Hotz says this not good news for the state as there has been a five year decline in traffic fatalities and is disappointed to see that number go up. He says there have been 814 fatalities in 2012 up from 784 fatalities at the end of 2011.
There is also increase in DUI arrests- 124 in total. Hotz says this number is up from 90 people who were arrested for driving while intoxicated during the New Year’s holiday in 2011.
AUDIO: Mary Farucci reports. (0:58)
