The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports traffic fatalities were down by half this Independence Day weekend over last year. Crashes and injuries on Missouri roadways were also considerably lower than they were in 2020.

Troopers worked 312 traffic crashes, which included 124 injuries and all seven fatalities. Troopers also made 144 DWI arrests and 81 drug arrests over the holiday weekend.

During counting period in 2020, 15 people were killed and 671 injured statewide in Missouri over the holiday in 1,356 traffic crashes. Troopers arrested 145 people for driving while intoxicated last year.

On the water State Troopers worked 12 boating crashes, which included four injuries and one fatality. Troopers made eight BWI arrests and 43 drug arrests.

There were no drownings over the holiday weekend.

Over the 2020 July Fourth holiday, there were 14 boating crashes, which included seven injuries and zero fatalities. Two drowned during last year’s holiday.

Troopers made seven boating while intoxicated arrests during the 2020 counting period.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story