MSHP says more than 50 percent of fatal crashes start with drivers who over-correct

The number of fatal traffic crashes have increased in Missouri in the past three years and a newly released informational video from the Missouri State Highway Patrol says more than 50 percent of fatal crashes start with over-correcting.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol reports, there were 766 fatal traffic crashes in 2014, 870 in 2015 and 936 in 2016.

In mid-Missouri alone, there were 92 traffic fatalities in 2016.

MSHP posted a video online Tuesday that states that about 50 percent of fatal crashes are caused by drivers over-correcting.

In the video, a trooper demonstrates how drivers can ease back onto the road and not over-correct.

One tip MSHP said is to remain calm. Then, keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Troopers say it’s best to have both hands on the wheel.

MSHP says you should ease off the gas and avoid using the breaks.

If the driver is in the right-hand lane and drifts to the edge of the road, MSHP says to turn the steering wheel about an eighth to the left to ease back onto the road. Then, turn the wheel slightly, about a fourth of the way, to the right to straighten up in the lane.

MSHP said wearing a seat belt is critical to keep drivers safe in these type of crashes. They said in a lot of fatal crashes, drivers who are not wearing seat belts can be thrown from the vehicle when it crashes.

The video from MSHP about over-correcting is available to view here.