By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Independence Day holiday travel period signals more drivers going to and from holiday gatherings.
It also signals more fireworks displays going off as you travel.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Seargent Shayne Hux with Troop H says be sure you don't get distracted by all those displays while you're driving.
"It's great if the passengers inside of a vehicle want to watch fireworks displays as they're going down the highway, however we do not recommend that for the driver," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "If the driver wants to do that pull over at a safe location, but other than that driving is a full-time job and it requires 100% of your attention, so do not get distracted by firework displays as you're traveling down the roadway."
Hux says to be aware of people traveling slower with campers or boats during the holiday period as well.
The Highway Patrol counting period will run today starting at 6pm until Tuesday July 4th at midnight.
Fireworks displays will be going off all around holiday travelers this Independence Day holiday, but there's one place the Missouri State Highway Patrol doesn't want to see them... from moving vehicles.
Hux says during this holiday period, the patrol receives influxes of calls about fireworks being shot from moving cars.
"Roman candles, things like that, and can you imagine if you light one and you don't get it out the window and that thing goes off inside the vehicle?" Hux says. "Everybody inside that vehicle is going to be at risk and then also the other motoring public if the driver loses control and has a vehicle crash, there's just a lot at stake there, lot of lives at risk, that's why we highly discourage that."
Hux says it's a crime to shoot fireworks from both vehicles and boats out on the water.
And with more people heading to the lake this Independence Day holiday period to enjoy fireworks and being out on the water, Hux says to be vigilant as you get out.
"Remain alert for other boats and swimmers when they're out there on the water," Hux explains. "And as always, be courteous, and never operate a vessel if you've consumed any type of alcohol or controlled substance."
Hux says last year statewide there were nine boating crashes with no fatalities and five injuries during the Independence Day holiday.