If you plan to be among the 47 million Americans who will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday, Missouri public safety officials encourage you to be safe.
This year's travel forecast was issued by AAA, which estimated 90 percent of travelers will drive to their destinations.
"We expect traffic patterns to be affected by the upcoming holiday as people make their way home for Thanksgiving," said Col. J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri Highway Patrol.
Increased volume and changing patterns increase the potential for accidents. During last year's four-day, Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 18 people were killed and another 469 were injured in 1,151 Missouri traffic crashes. That translates into one person killed or injured every 12.6 minutes during the 2014 counting period.
The patrol's safety emphasis again will include Operation C.A.R.E (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) and an intensive enforcement along state highways.
During Operation C.A.R.E., all available troopers will be assigned to enforce traffic laws, especially those related to drunk driving, driving over the speed limit, and seat belt/child restraint use. A separate, concentrated enforcement will assign trooper to 20-mile intervals along Interstates 35, 44, 55, and 70, as well as U.S. Highways 60 and 63.
As always, trooper will be performing dual duties, enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists in need. Motorists are asked to call the patrol's emergency assistance number - 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone - to report traffic crashes, crimes being committed, or other emergencies on Missouri's highways.
Johnson urges motorists to obey all laws, avoid distractions, including using cell phones and buckle up. He reminds drivers and passengers that approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are not at the time of the traffic crash.
He added: "If alcohol is part of your holiday celebration, plan to have a designated driver."
The extended Thanksgiving weekend is a time when people gather with family, celebrate the holiday and kick off the shopping season.
Amid the bustle and activity, exercise patience and courtesy while traveling. An accident, and its consequences, takes a toll in time, money, convenience and more.