NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q6094

June 19, 2009
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, 11 persons were killed and 194 injured in Missouri over the holiday in 382 traffic crashes. One person was killed or injured every 20.3 minutes. Troopers arrested 195 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2008 July Fourth holiday counting period. The 2009 counting period for the July Fourth holiday will be from 6 p.m., Thursday, July 2 to 11:59 p.m., Sunday, July 5.
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.
“Please incorporate safety when celebrating this July Fourth holiday,” said Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Highway Patrol. “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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