It’s that time of year again, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol is ringing it in with somber statistics that unfortunately ring all too true with a Missouri auto accident attorney like me. In a press release on Monday, they reminded motorists to buckle up, obey the speed limit, and keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.
MSHP participated in a campaign last year called Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) from the evening of July 3 through the night of July 6, 2008. During that time, Operation C.A.R.E. had all available officers patrolling Missouri’s highways and roads to enforce Missouri’s speed limit, seat belt and alcohol laws. They also were there to tally a staggering number of injuries and deaths.
According to MSHP, seven people were killed and 194 people injured in car crashes over last year’s holiday counting period. That’s an average of one person being killed and injured every 20.3 minutes. In addition to those injured and killed, state troopers arrested 195 people for driving while intoxicated — just one less than the number of reported injuries, and those are only the ones who got caught.
This year’s counting period for the Fourth of July holiday takes place 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, July 5, 2009. To prepare, MSHP advised motorists to make sure their cars are in good condition before starting a trip to see friends, relatives or fireworks. It also suggested checking the Missouri Department of Transportation’s traveler info map at www.modot.mo.gov to anticipate detours for construction or flooding.
In closing, MSHP reminded drivers who need assistance or witness crime while traveling on Missouri roads to contact their nearest Highway Patrol headquarters via their emergency hotline. All I can add is that if any Missouri motorists are injured in a July Fourth drunk driving accident, they should contact a Missouri reckless driving attorney right away to learn about their legal options. People hurt by an irresponsible drunk driver have the right to hold that driver legally responsible for the injuries he or she caused, including wrongful deaths, permanent disabilities and all of the financial costs related to the crash.
With offices in St. Louis and Belleville, Ill., Carey, Danis & Lowe represents victims of serious personal injuries caused by car crashes in Missouri and southern Illinois. Our Missouri auto accident lawyers help people who have been seriously hurt or lost a loved one in a car, truck or motorcycle wreck recover the money they need to pay medical bills, make ends meet and eventually move past the incident. If you and your family are in this position and you’d like to learn more, please contact Carey, Danis & Lowe online, or call us toll-free at 1-877-678-3400.
