Drive Safe this Christmas

The Missouri State Highway Patrol wishes everyone a merry and safe Christmas and holiday. When traveling during the holidays, remember to wear your seat belt and obey traffic laws.

Over the 2024 Christmas holiday, there were 295 traffic crashes statewide during the 30-hour counting period. In those crashes, five people were killed and another 133 were injured. The 2025 Christmas Day holiday period runs from 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 28.

If you plan to travel during the holiday, be aware of work zones, obey all traffic laws, adjust driving speeds to the weather, and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt or secured in the appropriate child safety seat for their size and age. Remember: Missouri is a hands-free state, so put the phone down and buckle up. There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired.

Due to ongoing road construction throughout the state, the Patrol suggests that travelers use the MoDOT Traveler Information Map to plan their travel days. The map provides up-to-date information such as road closures, delays, construction zones, and alternative routes. You can download the app for free to your smart device or access it here.

The public is encouraged to call the Patrol's Emergency Report Line 800-525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity, observe driving behavior that could cause a crash, or experience an emergency. If your holiday festivities include intoxicants, designate someone else to drive. Don't become a statistic.

KPGZ News - Missouri State Highway Patrol

Three Fatalities Reported on Missouri Roads During Thanksgiving Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that three people lost their lives in traffic crashes during the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, which spanned from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30. Officials reported no boating crashes or drownings occurred over the holiday.

According to preliminary data released by the Patrol, troopers responded to a total of 304 crashes, resulting in 82 injuries and 3 fatalities. There were also 87 arrests for driving while intoxicated made during the holiday period.

In comparison, during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 462 traffic crashes, with six fatalities and 158 injuries. Statewide last year, 11 people died and 571 were injured in 1,664 reported traffic crashes. Troopers made 106 arrests for driving while intoxicated in 2024.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Keep Safety in Mind This Thanksgiving

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone there will be an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with Wednesday and Sunday afternoon/evenings being the most heavily traveled times. Drivers should expect more traffic and the possibility of delays throughout the weekend. Regardless of traffic patterns, safety should remain a priority.

The counting period for the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025. Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort), enforcing all traffic laws, and available to assist the public. Over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, 11 people were killed and 571 injured in 1,664 traffic crashes.

If you plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend be aware of work zones, obey all traffic laws, and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt or secured in the appropriate child safety seat for their size and age. Remember: Missouri is a hands-free state, so put the phone down and buckle up. There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired.

Due to ongoing road construction throughout the state, the Patrol suggests that travelers use the MoDOT Traveler Information Map to plan their travel days. The map provides up-to-date information such as road closures, delays, construction zones, and alternative routes. You can download the app for free to your smart device or access it here.

If being on or near the water is part of your Thanksgiving holiday weekend plans, remember that the water is becoming colder, and hypothermia is a concern. The body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in the air of the same temperature. The proper use of life jackets is imperative.

The public is encouraged to call the Patrol's Emergency Report Line 800-525-5555 or *55 on your cellular phone if they witness criminal activity, observe driving behavior that could cause a crash, or experience an emergency. These phone numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies. If your celebration includes intoxicants, designate someone else to drive whether you are in a boat or vehicle. Don't become a statistic.

KPGZ News - MSHP

Local Woman Killed over Labor Day Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) has released preliminary statistics for the 2025 Labor Day holiday weekend, revealing that five people lost their lives in traffic crashes and one person drowned during the holiday period. The counting period for the Labor Day holiday began at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 29, and ended at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 1.

During this time, MSHP troopers responded to 222 traffic crashes across the state, resulting in 104 injuries and five fatalities. Additionally, troopers made 100 arrests for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and 14 for drug-related offenses.

On Missouri’s waterways, troopers investigated three boating crashes, which resulted in four injuries and no fatalities. Nine individuals were arrested for boating while intoxicated (BWI). However, one drowning was recorded during the holiday. The drowning incident occurred on Saturday, August 30, at Lake of the Ozarks.

Among the fatal incidents was the death of a 48-year-old female pedestrian from Excelsior Springs, Missouri. She was struck while walking on southbound Missouri 291, north of Middlebrook Drive in Clay County. The driver, a 22-year-old who was wearing a seat belt and was not injured, was unable to avoid the collision. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Paramedic Cameron Conrad. The Liberty Police Department assisted MSHP at the scene.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Missouri Highway Patrol Urges Safety for Labor Day Weekend

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging residents and visitors to prioritize safety as they celebrate the upcoming Labor Day weekend. With increased travel expected both on the state’s roads and waterways, Turner emphasizes the importance of planning ahead and observing all Missouri laws to help prevent accidents and injuries.

This year’s Labor Day counting period extends from 6 p.m. Friday, August 29, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, September 1, 2025. The holiday is traditionally one of the busiest for boating in Missouri. Before heading out on the water, boaters are reminded to inspect fuel lines and battery charge, and to exercise caution while refueling. Turning off electrical devices, inspecting for leaks, and using a blower system prior to restarting are recommended steps to avoid hazards.

Statistics from last year’s holiday underscore the need for vigilance: four boating crashes resulted in two fatalities and eight injuries, along with one drowning. Troopers made six arrests for boating while intoxicated during the 2024 holiday period. Marine enforcement officers will be patrolling Missouri’s waterways to promote safety, but boaters are asked to remain alert for other vessels and swimmers, avoid overloading boats, and respect right-of-way rules. Excessive wakes that cause harm may result in enforcement action or civil liability. Wearing life jackets remains a key safety recommendation.

On the roads, safety is equally critical. Motorists should inspect their vehicles before travel, drive courteously, obey traffic laws, and always wear seat belts. The dangers of impaired and distracted driving are highlighted by last year’s statistics: 17 people died and 498 were injured in 1,047 traffic crashes over the 2024 Labor Day holiday—an average of one casualty every 9.1 minutes. Troopers arrested 110 people for driving while intoxicated during the same period.

The Highway Patrol will participate in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort), deploying all available troopers to enforce speed limits, seat belt usage, and impaired driving laws. The public is encouraged to report emergencies or criminal activity by calling (800) 525-5555 or *55 from a cell phone, whether on highways or waterways.

For those celebrating with alcohol, the Patrol’s message is clear: designate a sober driver for both vehicles and vessels to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday. Safety remains everyone’s responsibility.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.