NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Corporal Julie A. Scerine

314/340-4028

#C010535

November 30, 2005



EMPHASIS: Thanksgiving Weekend Holiday Totals for Highway Patrol Troop C





Captain Ronald S. Johnson, Commanding Officer of Troop C, St. Louis, announced the traffic crash totals for Troop C during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend and the results of the Troop C C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). These totals are a combination of the total crashes investigated and the C.A.R.E. totals from the Holiday weekend, which ran from 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 27, 2005.



During the four day counting period, Highway Patrol Officers assigned to the eleven counties that make up Troop C, investigated 69 crashes, which resulted in 2 fatalities. These numbers are down from the 5 fatalities in 2004 holiday counting period. This reduction in traffic crashes and fatalities is a direct result of the extra enforcement by all law enforcement agencies.



In an effort to reduce traffic crashes, troopers statewide once again participated in the C.A.R.E. program. Troop C Officers arrested 26 subjects for Driving While Intoxicated, made 749 speeding arrests and issued 473 warnings for speeding. Troopers also issued 197 seatbelt tickets and 3 tickets for child restraint violations. They also rendered assistance to 366 motorists during this Holiday weekend.



Captain Johnson stated, “During the most heavily traveled season of the year, it is the goal of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to make sure the highways are safe for the citizens of Missouri and all motorists traveling. Please do your part by driving safe, paying attention to the job of driving, and being prepared for the unexpected.”