Missouri state troopers will be visible on all interstates Wednesday and again on Sunday, during the peak of the Thanksgiving holiday travel period.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz says 14 people were killed and that another 553 people were injured during the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
“So if you look at that for that timeframe, that’s roughly one person was killed or injured every 10.8 minutes somewhere in Missouri over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday,” Hotz says.
Captain Hotz tells Missourinet troopers will be stationed at 20-mile intervals on interstates 29, 44, 55 and 70 Wednesday and again on Sunday, as well as along Highways 60 and 63.
It’s part of a program called Operation C.A.R.E. Hotz says that stands for Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort.
“They’re (Missouri state troopers) being visible,” says Hotz. “We know that when people see a patrol vehicle they typically have a tendency to drive in a safer manner. But in addition to being visible, they will be enforcing traffic laws.”
Hotz says troopers will also be assisting motorists, as needed.
Troopers remind you to observe the speed limit, to wear your seat belt and to make sure your vehicle is in good condition.
The Missouri Highway Patrol’s emergency assistance phone number is 1-800-525-5555, or *55 on your cellular phone.
Hotz encourages motorists to use that number to report traffic crashes and crimes being committed.
Click here to listen to the full four-minute interview between Missourinet’s Brian Hauswirth and Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz, which was recorded on November 20, 2017: