The Missouri State Highway Patrol is beefing up enforcement for the Christmas holiday.
“The Patrol will be out in force,” said Lt. Eric Brown with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “We’ll be working to prevent traffic crashes by educating the public on traffic laws, enforcing all traffic laws, encouraging people to drive the speed limit, to designate a sober driver, things such as that.”
Brown said it’s not just about enforcing the law.
“We’ll be out there to provide assistance with any motorists who finds themselves in need,” Brown told Missourinet. “You know whether that be they’ve broken down on the shoulder of the roadway, that they’ve gotten lost or become involved in a traffic crash. Our troopers will be out working to keep our roadways safe and assist any motorist that they come across that’s in need.”
Additionally, Missouri is a hands-free state, so people are urged to put those phones down.
“We’re quickly coming up on a point and time where the education period on the hand-free law will expire and we’ll begin issuing fines for people who are in violation of using their telephone while they’re driving,” Brown explained. “The big thing is it can’t be hand-held anymore. You can’t support it with any portion of your body.”
But it’s more than just texting while driving.
“It’s unfortunate we see a lot of motorists who are watching social media on their phone while they’re driving, taking snapchats while they’re driving, even watching videos and movies while they’re driving,” added Brown. “Those are things we want to focus on.”
The holiday enforcement period begins at 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Christmas night.
“Be sure you know your route,” he said. “Download the MoDOT traveler map that will give you good information on traffic delays, construction areas that maybe in your route of travel. Even though the weather’s going to be good, you know, it’s going to be fairly warm this year, it’s good to have that later on when we do have snow or ice events.”
Brown recommended being proactive – making sure the vehicle is in good condition and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination safely.
“Plan yourself plenty of time for that trip,” he said. “Avoid that feeling that you need to rush, that you need to drive faster to get there. Be well rested before you leave, (before you) begin your trip, and especially on the way home. If alcohol is part of your plan, designate a sober driver.”
The Patrol said there were 1,034 traffic crashes statewide over last year’s Christmas holiday. In those crashes, three people were killed and another 346 were injured.
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