Tagged: Missouri State Highway Patrol

Troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Illinois State Police are urging motorists to keep their eyes on the road this holiday week.

Traffic fatalities spike in Mo. after six years of decline

Traffic fatalities in Missouri climbed nearly 20 percent through the first six months of this year, the first increase after six years of decline.

The state recorded 375 deaths this year, compared to 313 in 2011. The biggest increases came in southern and central Missouri, while the St. Louis area saw a small drop in fatal accidents.

Fatalities and drunken driving arrests were up this Christmas season, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

From 6 p.m. Friday until just before midnight on Sunday, state troopers investigated 213 crashes, which included two of the three fatalities and 67 injuries. Fifty-six people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Last year, troopers investigated 487 crashes, including one of two fatalities and 122 injuries, and arrested 51 people for impaired driving.

This year's fatalities were:

State officials are warning drivers in Missouri to beware of deer crossing roadways.

They are more active in the fall, which is their mating season.  Fall harvests and hunting also contribute to deer being more mobile this time of year.

Data collected by the insurance company State Farm for its 2010-2011 survey period ranks Missouri 19th in the nation for most deer strikes – down from 17th the prior year.  Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Tim Hull says the metro areas of St. Louis and Kansas City have the most deer strikes.