A common disclaimer in the stock market is "past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results."
This Memorial Day weekend, let's make that true for our safety. Because last year, 13 people died and 451 were injured in 1,045 traffic crashes. Missouri Highway Patrol troopers arrested 135 people for DWI.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday to remember those who have died while serving in our country's armed forces. It also marks the unofficial start of summer (June 20 is the official date). The three-day weekend is traditionally for spending time with family, grilling and, for some, boating. It's also a time for traveling.
That's why the patrol will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness Reduction Effort) during the long holiday weekend. This means every available trooper will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists. In addition, the patrol will assign troopers to 20-mile intervals along Interstates 29, 44, 55, and 70, and U.S. Highways 60 and 61 on May 26 and May 29. Troopers taking part in the holiday peak travel crash reduction enforcement project will be alert for all traffic offenses, and be especially vigilant to aggressive driving violations.
Troopers also will focus their attention on seat belt use, use of child safety seats, impaired drivers and speed violations.
The only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens, the patrol warns. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint.
Motorists or boaters in need of assistance, or who want to report a crime, should use the patrol's emergency assistance number 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone. For road condition reports, travelers can visit the patrol's web site at www.mshp.dps.mo.gov. Click on the "road condition" icon to view road construction areas throughout the state or call 1-888-275-6636.
Speed, inattention and impaired driving are leading causes of traffic crashes.
For boaters, let's work to keep a pair of statistics we'd like to keep the same as last year's Memorial Day weekend: Zero drownings and zero fatality boating crashes.
So take the patrol's advice: Wear a life jacket, never operate a boat while impaired and never ride with an impaired operator. Please be courteous to others on the water, and obey the law regarding safe operation of a vessel and no wake zones. Just like the highways, share the waterways and use common sense, good judgment and courtesy to ensure the safety of all.
As an added bonus (as if safety wasn't enough), the patrol will hand out T-shirts over the holiday weekend to children on boats or docks at the lake who are wearing life jackets. The shirts read: "I got caught wearing my life jacket."
Let's make good memories this summer - starting with Memorial Day weekend - by celebrating safely.