Labor Day Traffic Statistics Down in 2022

Five people died in traffic crashes, one person died in a boating crash, and one person drowned during the 2022 Labor Day holiday weekend.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated four of the traffic fatalities; Springfield Police Department investigated one traffic fatality. The 2022 counting period for the Labor Day holiday was from 6 p.m., Friday, September 2, through 11:59 p.m., Monday, September 5.

During 2022 Labor Day holiday the Highway Patrol investigated 276 crashes on Missouri roadways. There were 97 injuries related to those crashes and four fatalities. Troopers also made 113 DWI arrests and 55 drug arrests last weekend.

The traffic crash numbers are down from the 2021 Labor Day Weekend counting period. Last year, the Patrol investigated 318 traffic crashes, which included 121 injuries and six of the 11 fatalities.

On Missouri’s waterways, the Highway Patrol investigated seven crashes. Three of those crashes involved injuries and one involved a fatality. Troopers also made five BWI arrests, eight drug arrests, and investigated one drowning last weekend.

The boating incidences remained somewhat steady from last year. During the 2021 Labor Day holiday, troopers investigated nine boating crashes involving four injuries and one fatality; and arrested four people for boating while intoxicated on the state’s rivers and lakes. There were no drownings over the 2021 Labor Day holiday weekend.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story