Missouri, Kansas troopers hope to keep roads, waters safe for Memorial Day Weekend
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – This weekend marks the start to a busy summer travel season as AAA is predicting numbers we haven’t seen in nearly 20 years.
More than 40 million people are expected to travel this weekend, including Yoredvi Useche, who’s in Kansas City with her son from the New York City area.
“I hope there’s not going to be any rush or anything like that,” Useche said.
Meanwhile, many others aren’t straying far from home, like Kansas City local Demetrius Peters.
View the latest Weather Alerts in the Kansas City region on FOX4
“I’m just going to hang out with some friends; I got an extra day off of work,” Peters said.
Holidays like Memorial Day see more law enforcement officials working to keep the roads and waters safe.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol, Kansas State Highway Patrol, and local police agencies will all be increasing patrols starting Friday night and lasting through Monday.
“We did work a few crashes today. Obviously, there’s a lot more traffic so if there’s a crash that becomes more of an issue because traffic backs up faster,” said Cpl. Justin Ewing with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
He said the two biggest issues he sees are people speeding and not wearing seatbelts.
“Be patient. We’ve had a huge issue this year with road rage incidents. there’s going to be more people on the road, so if there’s an event like a crash it may take more time to get to your destination,” Ewing said.
During the 2023 Memorial Day weekend, Missouri had 13 people die in car crashes with more than 900 wrecks. As a result, different metro agencies are increasing patrols through the Click It or Ticket campaign, which is meant to reduce the number of preventable deaths and injuries that are caused when drivers and passengers aren’t wearing seatbelts.
In 2023, the Missouri Highway Patrol Troop A, the division that handles the Kansas City area, reported that 232 people died in car crashes. That’s a significant increase compared to previous years. Troop A has reported 74 vehicle fatalities in 2024. That’s an increase compared to the same time in 2023.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, in 2023 more than half of the people who died in passenger motor vehicle fatality crashes in the state of Kansas were not wearing a seatbelt.
See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri
During the Click It or Ticket effort, you’ll notice more officers patrolling and writing tickets for drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts. During this time, drivers will also notice more messaging that shows why seat belt use can be a life-or-death decision.
Lenexa and Merriam Police Departments, along with other agencies across the Kansas City metro, will participate in this year’s effort. Officials with the Lenexa Police Department said a grant from KDOT supports the increased patrols that are a part of this campaign.
Patrols will also ramp up on the water, with additional troopers and police keeping watch. Last year saw 10 crashes involving boats on Missouri waters with two injuries and no deaths.
“We may have two to three more troopers on in a specific area, so when you add that up it’s quite a few more troopers than we’d normally have.”
KC mayor, police discuss homicide trends, safety ahead of Memorial Day weekend
The American Red Cross has the following tips listed for those of you driving, grilling, or boating this weekend.
DRIVING SAFETY
Be well rested and alert, use your seat belts, observe speed limits and follow the rules of the road.
If you plan on drinking alcohol, designate a driver who won’t drink.
Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
Use caution in work zones. There are lots of construction projects underway on the highways.
Don’t follow other vehicles too closely.
Make frequent stops.
Clean your vehicle’s lights and windows to help you see, especially at night. Turn your headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather. Don’t overdrive your headlights.
Don’t let your vehicle’s gas tank get too low. If you have car trouble, pull as far as possible off the highway.
Carry a Disaster Supplies Kit in your trunk.
Let someone know where you are going, your route and when you expect to get there. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
GRILLING SAFETY
Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
WATER SAFETY
The following tips are layers of protection that will help people stay safe in, on and around the water:
Do your part, be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
Adults: actively supervise children; stay within arm’s reach of young children and newer swimmers. And kids: follow the rules.
Don’t fool with a pool: fence it in. Enclose your pool and spa with four-sided, four-foot fencing and use self-closing, self-latching gates.
Don’t just pack it; wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket – always when on a boat and if in a situation beyond your skill level. Inflatable children’s toys and water wings can be fun, but they are no substitute for a life jacket and adult supervision.
Swim as a pair near a lifeguard’s chair – everyone, including experienced swimmers, should swim with a buddy in areas protected by lifeguards.
Reach or throw, don’t go! Know what to do to help someone in trouble, without endangering yourself; know how and when to call 9-1-1; and know CPR.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
