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MACON,MO -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol announces the 2011 Thanksgiving holiday traffic crash and preliminary enforcement totals for the Troop B area, which consists of the 16 northeast counties of Missouri.

During the 2011 Thanksgiving weekend traffic crash counting period, which began on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, at 6:00 p.m., and ended on Sunday, November 27, 2011, at 11:59 p.m., Troop B officers participated in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort).  In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., Troop B officers participated in a "20-Mile Trooper" enforcement operation on U.S. Highway 61 throughout the Troop B area, and selected portions of U.S. Highways 24 and 36, on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, and Sunday, November 27, 2011.  During these operations, troopers investigated 20 traffic crashes, in which 11 individuals were injured.  
Preliminary enforcement totals show Troop B officers made seven arrests for driving while intoxicated, three arrests for drug violations, issued 484 summonses for speed, 88 seat belt summonses, and assisted 184 motorists.  Troopers also issued 708 warnings.

“The Missouri State Highway Patrol takes holiday weekends very seriously,” stated Captain Wilt.  “Taking the job of driving seriously, and remembering to buckle up, will help reduce the number of traffic crashes and fatalities.”