Highway officials prepare for heavy traffic this holiday season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is preparing for heavy traffic over the Christmas holiday.

The spokesman for Troop F Cpl. Kyle Green said he expects to see a significant amount of traffic throughout the holidays, but nothing troopers aren't used to during this time of year.

"We always plan for the worst, we know that traffic will be heavy but I don't think this year will be any more significant than years past," Green said.

With an expected increase in traffic, Green recommends travelers leave early, bring a phone charger, and make sure you have plenty of gas.

"Especially if you are planning to travel on I-70 or other places like that, there is going to be a large amount of traffic," Green said.

Compared to last year, Green said Missouri's fatality crash rate is up approximately 9 percent.

"We have seen an increase in the speed at which people travel," Green said. "Instead of people going 10 or 15 (miles) over the speed limit, we are seeing people more in the 20 or 30 -- or over range."

Hannah, a traveler from New York who flew into St. Louis and drove to Columbia this week, said the traffic she saw was light.

"There wasn't much traffic. It felt like a pretty regular drive back," she said. "The chaos of the holidays was fairly removed this year."

Troop F is encouraging everyone who is driving this holiday season to wear their seat belt and watch for unsafe lane changes.