Traffic Accidents Increase During Missouri Summer Driving
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Missouri State Traffic Accident Report System (STARS), holidays can be a dangerous time to drive in Missouri. The Missouri State Highway Patrol notes that between 2003 and 2007, every 6.7 hours, a motorist died in a traffic accident during the holidays, which is up from one every 7.7 hours during non-holiday driving.
The summer holidays of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day are among the most dangerous for Missouri roadways. For the five-year period between 2003 and 2007, a total of 197 people were killed and 8,554 were injured on these three holidays combined. On average, the Missouri State Highway Patrol estimates that one person was injured or killed every 8.6 minutes during each of the three summer holidays, compared to one every 10.5 minutes during the winter holidays.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol attributes this increase in traffic accidents to a number of factors. First, traffic increases during the summer holidays, placing more motorists on the roads. Motorists are also likely to leave for their holiday after a full day of work, when many are too tired to pay proper attention to the road. Alcohol consumption increases during the holidays as well, creating more intoxicated drivers and pedestrians.
It pays to drive carefully, especially on holidays. No matter how carefully you drive, however, you may be involved in an accident with a driver who wasn't as concerned for his or your safety. If you or a loved one has been injured in a St. Louis car accident, please don't hesitate to contact the skilled St. Louis vehicle accident lawyers at Page Law. Our attorneys will review the details of your case and help you hold negligent parties accountable for their actions as we seek to win you the compensation that you need to move forward. Call Page Law today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.
