NCJ Number
205974
Date Published
2004
Length
135 pages
Annotation
This report presents data to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) identifying the extent, severity, and characteristics of traffic crashes occurring over holidays in the State of Missouri for 2003.
Abstract
Interest expressed by the Missouri traffic safety authorities in the study of holiday traffic crashes spurred the development of this report which provides traffic safety authorities with baseline information about Missouri’s holiday traffic crash experience. Data for this report were obtained from the Missouri Statewide Traffic Accident Records Systems (STARS) and contains historical information encompassing the last 5 years of Missouri’s holiday traffic crash experience, emphasizing the year 2003. The six holidays included in this report are Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year. Information in the report are presented in three sections; (1) the 2003 Missouri Holiday Traffic Safety Clock, (2) Missouri traffic crashes and specific holidays; and (3) summary data on the 2003 holiday traffic crashes in all counties and cities with populations of 1,000 or more. The information contained in this report can be used to develop more effective holiday safety countermeasure programs. Highlighted findings from the report include: (1) from 1999 through 2003, 1 person was killed in a traffic crash every 7.6 hours in the State of Missouri; (2) from 1999 to 2003, 1 person was killed every 6.8 hours over the holidays; and (3) from 1999 to 2003, a total of 364 persons were killed over these holidays and 18,042 were injured. Findings specific to each holiday represented for the year 2003 include: (1) over Memorial Day, there were 1,323 traffic crashes with 11 persons killed and 580 injured and 1 person killed or injured every 7.9 minutes; (2) over the Fourth of July, there were 1,262 traffic crashes with 20 persons killed and 621 injured and 1 person killed or injured every 7.3 minutes; (3) over Labor Day, there were 1,487 traffic crashes with 14 persons killed and 684 injured and 1 person killed or injured every 6.7.minutes; (4) over Thanksgiving, there were 1,365 traffic crashes with 21 persons killed and 546 injured and 1 person killed or injured every 10.8 minutes; (5) over Christmas, there were 1,332 traffic crashes with 9 persons killed and 616 injured and 1 person killed or injured every 9.8 minutes; and (6) over New Year, there were 1,839 traffic crashes with 12 persons killed and 762 injured and 1 person killed or injured every 7.9 minutes. Tables and glossary