Missouri patrol says accidents, drownings increased

Officials with the Missouri Highway Patrol announced this week that Missouri has experienced an increase in traffic fatalities and drowning's so far in 2015.

Preliminary statistics indicate that Missouri has recorded 437 traffic fatalities so far in 2015, compared to 412 fatalities during the same time in 2014.

This is a six percent increase from the same time last year.

Of those required to be wearing their seat belts, approximately 63 percent were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Inattention, speed, and impaired driving continue to be the leading causes of traffic crashes in Missouri.

A total of 30 drownings have occurred on Missouri's lakes and rivers so far in 2015, compared to 29 in all of 2014.

There have been four drownings in the last week and one near drowning.

None of the victims were wearing life jackets.

Flood waters have proven to be very dangerous this year to motorists as well as those in and around Missouri's lakes and streams.