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

Troop A - 504 SE Blue Parkway - Lee's Summit, MO 64063


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Bill Lowe
(816) 622-0800 ext. 273
A2012-24
June 27, 2012

EMPHASIS: The Patrol Will Have An Increased Presence On Highways During July Fourth Holiday


Captain Robert L. Powell, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, announces there will be an increased presence of troopers during the week of the July Fourth holiday. Past history has shown the July Fourth holiday is typically one of the most heavily traveled holidays during the calendar year. So, for the past several years, the Patrol has utilized what has become known as the 20-Mile Trooper project. The project entails troopers being assigned to a 20-mile portion of Interstates 70, 29, 35, and 470, as well as U.S. Highways 50 and 71. This creates an avenue for our troopers to assist the motoring public within a close proximity and aggressively enforce traffic laws during a heavily traveled period of time. Troop A troopers will take part in the 20-Mile Trooper project on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, and on Sunday July 8, 2012, in an effort to reduce injury and fatality crashes caused by intoxicated drivers as well as those who are operating motor vehicles in a hazardous manner.
Troop A also will be conducting sobriety checkpoints in Jackson County, Clay County, and Platte County during the month of July. These checkpoints will be a cooperative effort with the Kansas City, MO, Police Department, Platte County Sheriff’s Office, and Clay County Sheriff’s Office. These checkpoints are designed to remove intoxicated drivers from Missouri roadways, and consist of officers stopping drivers at a set location and testing those who have been drinking. In addition to the checkpoints, troopers also will be conducting DWI saturations in Henry County and Platte County sometime during the month of July. Troopers assigned to the saturations will concentrate their efforts on highways which have been found to have a high number of alcohol-related crashes and enforcement contacts.
“Many people will be traveling on Missouri’s highways during the holiday. We ask motorists to be patient and courteous while traveling during this busy time of the year,” stated Captain Powell. “Troopers will be enforcing traffic laws and assisting those who are stranded. The troopers assigned to Troop A are committed to making our highways safe for everyone. Please take the job of driving seriously. Do not drink and drive, obey the speed limit, pay attention, and buckle up.”
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