The Missouri State Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement as drivers hit the road for Christmas.
Captain Scott White told Missourinet that last year there were 295 traffic crashes statewide—and he expects those numbers to rise this year.
“The counting period last year was a day and 1/2 this year it’s going to be 4 1/2 days,” said White. “So unfortunately, we do predict them to go up. And that’s just because the counting period is longer also.”
White said the Patrol suggests using the MoDOT Traveler Information Map to plan for the construction zones.
“There’s over 900 construction areas throughout the state, and it gives you a good idea of where those construction areas are,” said White. “And that map does provide an up-to-date information such as road closures or delays, or even alternative routes.”
The Missouri Highway Patrol adds that Christmas travelers should remember Missouri is a hands-free free state and to put the phone down when driving.
Captain White told Missourinet that they are issuing citations for those who break the law.
“We started issuing citations for this actually on January 1st of 2025. For a year, over a year, we gave warnings to motorists so that warning period is over and any driver that we do see that’s utilizing the phones and violations of the provision of that law will most likely get a ticket,” said White.
White said so far in 2025 the Highway Patrol issued well over 1,000 tickets for that violation.
Copyright © 2025 · Missourinet