MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop E Headquarters - 4947 Highway 67 North - Poplar Bluff, MO 63901


News Release

For further information please contact: Trooper Clark D. Parrott
(573) 840-9500, Ext. 221
11291150
November 29, 2011

EMPHASIS: Troop E Announces Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend Totals


Captain George E. Ridens, commanding officer of Troop E, Poplar Bluff, announces the Thanksgiving holiday weekend traffic crash and enforcement totals for the Troop E area, which consists of 13 counties in Southeast Missouri. During the 2011 Thanksgiving weekend traffic crash counting period, which began at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, and ended at 11:59 p.m on Sunday, November 27, 2011, Troop E officers investigated 36 traffic crashes, which resulted in 16 injuries and one fatality. Troop E officers also participated in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). Troop E officers working on Interstate 55 and 57 participated in the 20-Mile Trooper project. Troopers assigned to this operation worked 12-hour shifts to patrol 20-mile intervals on major highways and interstates in Southeast Missouri on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, and Sunday, November 27, 2011. The totals from this operation include:

361--Speed Summonses
173--Seat Belt Summonses
12--Child Restraint Summonses
10--Driver’s License Summonses
10--Non-Moving Summonses
9--Hazardous Moving Summonses
12--Misdemeanor Drug Arrests
12--Driving While Intoxicated Arrests
12--Misdemeanor Warrant Arrest
940--Warnings for other traffic violations

Captain Ridens said, “We will continue to do our job to help make our highways as safe as possible for all travelers. Please remember we need your help: Pay attention, don’t text and drive, and please make sure everyone is buckled up.”

The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges all citizens to report any vehicle they observe operating in a careless manner. The public can contact the Highway Patrol toll-free at 1-800-525-5555 or on their cellular phone at *55.

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