NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Capt. J. Tim Hull

Q12057

(573) 526-6115



December 18, 2006

EMPHASIS: Patrol Stresses Safety During New Year’s Holiday



The New Year’s holiday is a time to celebrate 2006 and welcome 2007. The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to include safety in their holiday preparations. If the weather is bad, allow extra time for traveling or be flexible with your plans. Staying home might be safer. If you do plan to drive to a New Year’s gathering, remember to buckle up and obey all traffic laws.



Also, if your plans include alcohol, choose a designated driver. Getting arrested could be the least of your concerns. There are court costs, medical bills, or perhaps jail time. If you kill or injure someone, you’ll pay a price for the rest of your life. The highway is no place for a driver who has been drinking.



During the New Year’s traffic crash counting period from 6 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2006 to 11:59 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2007, all available officers will be on the roadways. Last year, 965 traffic crashes occurred in Missouri over the New Year’s holiday weekend. In those crashes eight people were killed and 403 were injured. That is one person killed or injured every 7.9 minutes.



“Drunk drivers cause too many traffic crashes every year,” said Colonel James F. Keathley. “The injuries and deaths that result from drunk driving can be prevented if people celebrate responsibly. Please choose a designated driver.”