MACON, MO -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced a new enforcement program this month called Operation Stop, Think, Observe, and Proceed; known as STOP.
The program will be aimed at reducing traffic crashes at busy intersections across the state.
“Our big concern is that while although we don’t have a high number of traffic accidents at intersections, when we do however have traffic accidents at those intersections, those accidents are pretty serious involving serious injuries or fatalities,” says Sergeant Brent Bernhardt of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Bernhardt says that traffic fatalities have been less than 1000 a year for the last five years. So far, year to date, traffic fatalities are 30 percent higher than they were this time last year. Bernhardt also states most traffic accidents this year are from people running off the road, into ditches, or crossing the center line.
Extra troopers and the highway patrol aircraft will be out during Operation STOP. High traffic intersections will be the primary focus and expect to be ticketed for breaking traffic laws such as not yielding or stopping completely at stop signs.
The program will be operational over the next few months based on officer availability and weather conditions.
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