Highway patrol to start Fourth of July counting period Friday night

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol plans to have more troopers on patrol for the Fourth of July weekend.

Troopers are scheduled to start the 2022 holiday counting period at 6 p.m. Friday, which will run through 11:59 p.m. Monday. All available troopers will patrol Missouri roads or waterways to enforce traffic and boating laws, according to the highway patrol.

Last year, troopers reported more than 530 people were hurt in nearly 1,140 crashes.

2021 Fourth Of July counting period data:

• 1,139 crashes
• 532 injuries
• 7 deaths
• 80 DWI arrests

Troopers also responded to 12 boating crashes last year. One person was killed and eight people were hurt, according to MSHP.

The highway patrol will participate in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort) and Operation Dry Water this holiday weekend. Troopers also remind boaters that it's illegal to set off fireworks from a boat.

Anyone who needs help or needs to report a crime is asked to call the highway patrol at 1-800-525-5555 or *55 on cell phones.