Troopers step up enforcement for Memorial Day weekend

With extra traffic expected for the Memorial Day weekend, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is stepping up enforcement efforts.

Troopers will be stationed every 20 miles along Interstate 70, along with other major interstates and highways.

The holiday counting period starts at 6 Friday night and ends at noon Monday.

Over the Memorial Day weekend in 2017, crashes across Missouri killed 9 people and injured nearly 500 others. Troopers also arrested 107 people on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

The highway patrol will also have a presence at the Lake of the Ozarks and other lakes as it is the unofficial start of boating season.

During the holiday weekend last year, there were 15 boat crashes across the state that killed one person and hurt 7 people. Two others also drowned.