By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – With the start of the holiday travel season, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is preparing for increased congestion on interstates and state highways.
The Highway Patrol's Corporal John Parrish says every available officer will be patrolling Missouri's main roads this week, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday, the main travel days before Christmas.
Parrish says the state has seen a high number of traffic fatalities this year,adding that alcohol-related deaths tend to rise during the holidays.
"We're trying to get that reduced, but alcohol does start to play a larger part, especially with the new year rolling around," Parrish said. "We're just hoping that people exercise good judgment this year."
There were more than 1,200 fatal accidents on Missouri highways in 2002, a figure Parrish says could be eclipsed this year.
The troopers will be out en masse to also help drivers and enforce seat belt laws.
"Anytime anyone sees a motorist that they suspect may be drinking or be under the influence, they can always call *55 and that will get them to the nearest troop headquarters," he said. "Hopefully we'll have officers in the area or we can respond in a timely manner and try to remove those motorists from the roadway."
Inclement weather may also be a factor for drivers. The forecast calls for a chance of rain Monday and possibly some snow Tuesday.