News Release



For further information please contact:

Sgt. Larry W. Plunkett, Jr (573) 840-9500

plunkl@mshp.state.mo.us

#: 2005-06-03

Date: June 30, 2005



EMPHASIS: Troop E Special MCSAP/SAFTE Operation





Captain George Ridens, Commanding Officer of Troop E, released enforcement totals for the recent MCSAP/SAFTE (Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program/ Selected Area for Extra Traffic Enforcement) operations conducted June 21-22, 2005. The operation focused on hazardous moving violations by commercial motor vehicles in the I-55 corridor of Pemiscot, Cape Girardeau and Scott Counties.



The operations were staffed by a group of six officers, a combination of Commercial Vehicle Officers and Missouri Troopers, who were tasked with identifying hazardous drivers and various traffic violations committed within the designated area. The program resulted in 30 commercial vehicle violations, 8 speed violations, 1 careless and imprudent arrest, 3 seat belt violations, 1 child restraint violation, 2 misdemeanor drug arrests, 1 criminal arrest and 140 warnings.



Captain Ridens added, “Although most commercial vehicle operators do a commendable job on Missouri’s highways, approximately 16.4% of all fatal crashes involve a commercial motor vehicle. Those percentages equate to nearly 400 killed and over 11,000 injured during 2003 and 2004 (combined), with nearly 3/4 of the fatalities occurring in rural areas like Southeast Missouri. Although our focus during this operation was commercial motor vehicles, all motorists should drive cautiously, courteously, and professionally if we truly want the highways to be a safe place to travel.”



For more information concerning this operation, please contact Sergeant Larry W. Plunkett, Jr., Public Information and Education Officer for Troop E, phone 573-840-9500.