Jefferson City police to have more officers on roads for New Year’s weekend

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Jefferson City Police Department issued a press release on Tuesday stating that it is joining with other law enforcement officials to give safety tips ahead of New Year’s Eve.

There will be additional officers enforcing traffic laws this weekend, with an emphasis on hazardous moving violations, including seat belt and child-restraint violations.

The department is encouraging everyone traveling in vehicles to wear a seatbelt “every trip, every time, no matter the distance travelled.” It also reminds residents to not drink and drive and designate a sober driver.

Two people died during the Missouri State Highway Patrol's counting period for Christmas weekend. Troopers in Troop F -- which handles Mid-Missouri -- investigated 27 crashes over the counting period with seven injuries and four DWI arrests.

The patrol worked 306 crashes statewide between 6 p.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Monday with 84 injuries. The agency reported three deaths, including the two in Central Missouri, and troopers made 52 DWI arrests.

The numbers were up from last year's period when troopers worked 227 crashes with four deaths and 67 DWI arrests.