Highway Patrol prepares to start counting period as an increase in holiday travelers is expected

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol begins its holiday counting period Thursday night for the Fourth of July weekend. MSHP is calling its safety efforts "Operation C.A.R.E", a crash awareness and reduction effort.

During the 2024 counting period, the highway patrol reported 14 people killed and more than 500 hurt in Missouri in nearly 1400 traffic crashes over the holiday weekend. Troopers also arrested 149 people for driving under the influence.

AAA projects more than 70 million people will travel at least 50 miles or more from home for the independence day holiday, an increase of nearly two million more travelers compared to 2024.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is also stopping work on most maintenance and construction projects starting Thursday at noon until 6 a.m. Sunday Morning.

The 2025 Fourth of July holiday counting period will go through 11:59 p.m. Sunday night.