Labor Day marks the practical close of summer as students return to school and family vacations end. The long holiday weekend also, unfortunately, can bring a spike in catastrophic motor vehicle accidents in Missouri.
That's why the Show-Me State's top law enforcement agency is taking extra precautions to limit fatal car and truck accidents this upcoming Labor Day holiday.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced it will participate in Operation CARE from September 2 through September 5. Operation CARE stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort and began in 1977 by law enforcement officers in Michigan and Indiana. It has since been adopted by state police organizations across the country, including Missouri.
Top Causes of Fatal Traffic Crashes
The mission of Operation CARE includes enhanced enforcement of laws designed to combat the leading causes of fatal motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drivers exceeding the speed limit
These efforts are applied annually around several dates that see a rise of car and truck accident deaths, such as July 4th and Memorial Day, as well as Labor Day. During the 2015 Labor Day holiday weekend - Friday at 6 p.m. through Monday at midnight - eight people in Missouri were killed in traffic accidents.
killed in traffic accidents. The Missouri Highway Patrol will beef up troopers on Missouri's roads during this time period. It also will have an increased presence on Missouri's waterways to reduce drownings. Four people in Missouri drowned during the 2015 Labor Day holiday weekend.
Top Missouri Driver Error for Fatal Accidents: Swerving out of Lane
Last year the Auto Insurance Center, an online insurance company, analyzed federal data from 2009 to 2013 to determine the driving behavior that caused the most fatal car and truck crashes in each state. In Missouri, that action was the failure to keep in the proper lane.
There are many reasons for a driver to unnecessarily swerve into oncoming traffic. Distracted driving may be on the rise, but alcohol, drugs and speeding certainly remain the primary causes for this dangerous behavior.
Despite the Missouri Highway Patrol's efforts this Labor Day and year-round, there are car and truck drivers who will be reckless. If you lost a family member or were seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver, an experienced car accident attorney can pursue action against those responsible.
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertising.
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