JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Missouri Highway Patrol has announced its annual increase in enforcement efforts for the days surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday, one of the busiest travel times of the year.

The official counting period begins at 6:00 PM on the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, November 27 and ends at midnight on December 1.

During the same count period in 2023, nine people were killed and 4,823 were injured in 1,342 traffic crashes on Missouri roads.

“It really comes down to a mindset, just thinking you know what could happen to me and I have to take every precaution to make sure it doesn’t,” MSHP Capt. Scott White said. “That means looking further down the road, making sure you put your phone down, and by far the best thing you can do is wear your seat belt.”

Because Thanksgiving always falls on a Thursday, while other holidays land on different days of the week depending on the year, it presents a uniquely consistent temptation for celebrants to “pack more” during the long holiday weekend .

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that about one-third of fatal crashes involved alcohol or other impaired driving.

Law enforcement is also responsible for enforcing a new state law that prohibits the use of any portable communication or media device while driving.

The law came into force in August and the fines are to be applied from January.

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