NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q06089
June 20, 2008
EMPHASIS: Drive Safely During July Fourth Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to remind Missouri’s travelers of the importance of safety during the upcoming July Fourth holiday. If you travel to visit friends and family during this summer holiday, remember to buckle up, pay attention, and obey the speed limit. Be prepared! If you are traveling, make sure your car is in good condition before you start your trip. Check the traveler information map at www.modot.mo.gov for areas where road construction or the recent flooding could affect your route. Please help make this a safe holiday.
Last year, two persons were killed and 230 injured in Missouri over the holiday in 426 traffic crashes. One person was killed or injured every 7.8 minutes. Troopers arrested 50 people for driving while intoxicated during the 30-hour counting period in 2007. Over the past five years, 56 people have been killed and 2,983 have been injured in traffic crashes on Missouri’s roadways over July Fourth holidays. The 2008 counting period for the July Fourth holiday will be from 6 p.m., Thursday, July 3 to 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 6.
The Highway Patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) over the holiday. 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. 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.
“The July Fourth holiday is an opportunity to celebrate this country and the freedom we Americans have,” said Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Highway Patrol. “But, remember to include safety in your plans. If your celebration includes travel, please be a courteous driver and obey all traffic laws. If your celebration includes alcohol, don’t drive.”

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