For further information please contact: Captain J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q8102012
August 13, 2012

EMPHASIS: Patrol: Include Safety As A Priority When Planning Labor Day Weekend Activities

Colonel Ronald Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like Missouri’s travelers to include safety when planning their Labor Day weekend. Colonal Replogle strongly urges the use of seat belts when traveling in any kind of vehicle and life jackets when on a Missouri lake, river, or stream.

In 2011, 13 people were killed and 443 injured in Missouri over the Labor Day holiday in 952 traffic crashes. One person was killed or injured every 10.3 minutes. Of that total, troopers worked 298 traffic crashes, which included 171 injuries and nine of the fatalities over the 2011 Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 175 people for driving while intoxicated during last year’s holiday weekend.

The 2012 counting period for the Labor Day holiday will be from 6 p.m., Friday, August 31, to 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 3.

The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the Labor Day holiday weekend. All available officers will be patrolling Missouri’s roadways enforcing Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt, and alcohol laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists.

Troopers throughout the state will participate in a 20-Mile Trooper operation on August 31 and again on September 3. This operation will include Interstates 35, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. Highways 60 and 63. Troopers will be targeting all traffic violations, and be especially vigilant of aggressive driving violations.

Motorists who need assistance or who witness criminal activity while traveling on Missouri’s roadways can contact the nearest Highway Patrol troop headquarters by calling the Patrol Emergency Report Line at 1 (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone.

Colonel Replogle reminds the public that the Labor Day holiday is a busy boating weekend. Two people died and 10 were injured in seven boating crashes during the 2011 Labor Day holiday. In an effort to increase safety on our state’s waters, all available officers will be working over the holiday weekend. Missouri’s boaters are asked to do their part by remaining alert for other watercraft, skiers and swimmers, and being courteous on the water.

Remember: If you choose to drink alcohol, don’t operate a vessel. Alcohol consumption slows reaction time. Pay attention to the boats around you and ask your passengers to assist with this. Evasive maneuvers should be made early and deliberately. Check your vessel’s navigation lights before heading out at night, and be sure to have spare bulbs on board. Avoid overloading your boat with too many passengers, and observe Missouri’s nighttime speed limit of 30 miles per hour on the water.

“The Patrol encourages everyone to make safety a part of their plans for the Labor Day holiday,” said Colonel Replogle. “Enjoy the last big weekend of summer, but please don’t become a statistic. Remember to buckle up in your vehicle and wear a life jacket when on or near water. If your celebration includes alcohol, designate someone else to drive, whether you are in your boat or your car.”
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