The recent holiday season kept the Missouri State Highway Patrol particularly busy – especially due to the high number of car accidents and drunk drivers on Missouri roadways.
During the recent Christmas weekend – from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 21, through December 25 – the Missouri Highway Patrol reports that they arrested 130 motorists for drunk driving. Continuing this trend, the Highway patrol made 124 drunk driving arrests over New Year’s – which was compiled from December 28 at 6:00pm through January 1, 2013.
What is of special concern is that these numbers are drastically higher than last year’s drunk driving arrests during the corresponding periods. For instance, the Highway patrol arrested a mere 56 drivers for drunk driving over the Christmas weekend in 2011 and only 90 over New Year’s weekend.
Tragically, drunk driving arrests are not the only rates that experienced a recent increase. For example, the Missouri Highway Patrol reports that eight people died in traffic fatalities over New Year’s weekend – compared to only six last year.
To make matters even worse, the Highway Patrol investigated 239 traffic accidents – with 91 reported injuries – in Missouri over Christmas weekend; which is higher than last year’s numbers of 213 accidents investigated with only 67 injuries.
Unfortunately, this increase was even greater over New Year’s as there were 486 traffic accidents investigated by the Highway Patrol over New Year’s weekend, while only 163 accidents were investigated by the Highway Patrol during the corresponding weekend last year.
As the recently reported numbers indicate, dangers are ever-present on Missouri roads. Not only did the Highway Patrol report an increase in investigated traffic accidents during the recent holiday season, but also an increase in drunk driving arrests.
Fortunately, there are remedies available for those who are injured by careless and negligent drivers who elect to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink. For instance, drunk drivers are not only held responsible for their actions in criminal court, but can be found liable for the injuries and damages they cause through a personal injury action in Missouri civil court.
Also, it is important for those injured not to quickly accept a settlement without first speaking to an attorney. For instance, an attorney can not only help by explaining your rights and options, but also in investigating your claim and ensuring you are compensated for all of the damages you may have suffered.
