Every nine minutes.
Many of us approach the Labor Day holiday as a three-day weekend, not as a series of nine-minute intervals. The traditional end of summer may involve travel, camping, barbecues, water sports and other recreational activities.
Law enforcement officers and emergency responders, sadly, must approach the holiday differently.
Why?
Because if last year's trend is repeated, someone will be killed or injured in a traffic crash every nine minutes in Missouri during the Labor Day counting period, which extends from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday.
In 2015, the Missouri Highway Patrol reports, 10 people were killed and 508 injured in 1,094 Missouri traffic crashes during the counting period. Of that total, troopers worked 348 traffic crashes, which included 167 injuries and eight of the fatalities over the 2015 Labor Day holiday.
In addition, troopers arrested 121 people for driving while intoxicated during last year's holiday weekend.
Boating accidents also escalate during Labor Day weekend. Last year, two people were killed and 10 suffered injuries in 11 boating crashes. On the waterways, troopers arrested 22 people for boating while intoxicated.
Traffic safety is a combined effort, involving law enforcement as well as motorists and boat operators.
Once again, the patrol will participate in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) during the holiday weekend. All available officers will be patrolling Missouri's roadways enforcing speed limit, seat belt and alcohol laws, in addition to being available to assist motorists. Similarly, all available officers will patrol the state's waterways.
Troopers also will participate in a special enforcement operation on interstates and specified U.S. highways in Missouri.
Safety, however, requires more than an effort by law enforcement officers. Motorists and boaters can spare themselves injuries, expenses and other consequences simply by practicing attentiveness, patience and courtesy.
In addition, Col. J. Bret Johnson, patrol superintendent, strongly urges the use of seat belts when traveling in any kind of vehicle and life jackets when on a Missouri lake, river or stream.
Finally, don't operate a vehicle or boat while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
These are all common-sense actions that everyone knows, but not everyone practices.
Impairment, impatience and inattention take a terrible toll. And, during last year's holiday weekend, the toll increased every nine minutes.
We can, and must, do better. Let's commit to an enjoyable, and safe, Labor Day weekend.