By MATT PIKE
It’s another long holiday weekend as the Missouri Highway Patrol expects travelers to hit the road today.
Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H says Labor Day marks the third of the four major travel holidays. Hux encourages everyone to plan for save travel during the weekend
“This is one of the holiday’s it seems like where alcohol is involved because a lot of people take to the water because the weather is still nice this time of year,” Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “So, we just encourage you to be responsible, if you consume anything that causes impairment, plan ahead, have a plan in place, and use a designated driver.”
MoDOT reports roadway fatalities are trending downward for a third year in a row, down two percent so far, with 344 deaths this year compared to 364 in 2023.
Hux says during last year’s Labor Day holiday period, 110 arrests were made for driving while intoxicated, because drivers are not being responsible after drinking
“They’re not making plans to get home with a sober driver, and that’s what we’re trying to stress here, because last year on Missouri roadways 17 people died in traffic crashes during the three-day Labor Day weekend, two people were killed in boating fatalities,” Hux explains.
Hux says if you have any trouble, remember to contact the patrols star 55 emergency hotline for help
“Now we also encourage them to contact us if they’re behind a vehicle careless and imprudent operation, traveling at high speeds, or if they believe the driver is impaired or even on their phone,” Hux says. “Or if they see a small child inside a vehicle that’s unsecured.”
The Highway Patrol will be out in force starting this evening at 6pm until Monday at midnight.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
