The Missouri State Highway Patrol encourages everyone to prioritize safety and make good decisions regarding their New Year’s celebrations this week.

During the 2023-2024 New Year’s period, nine people were killed and 293 injured in 821 traffic crashes in Missouri. This New Year’s holiday counting period begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

If your plans to welcome the new year include alcohol, please designate a sober driver or utilize a ride share service or taxi to ensure you arrive home safely.

If you plan to travel this New Year’s, remember to buckle up and make sure all your passengers do the same. The public is encouraged to call the Patrol’s Emergency Assistance Number (800) 525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if they witness criminal activity or experience an emergency.