Traffic, gas prices expected to increase during holiday weekend

Gas prices in Fulton rose this week to $2.19. Early on Wednesday, gas was priced as low as $2.15 in Fulton and Kingdom City, $2.25 in Jefferson City and $2.28 in Holts Summit. According to gasbuddy.com, the average price of gas was $2.27 in Missouri, and the lowest price was $1.93 on Wednesday afternoon.
Gas prices in Fulton rose this week to $2.19. Early on Wednesday, gas was priced as low as $2.15 in Fulton and Kingdom City, $2.25 in Jefferson City and $2.28 in Holts Summit. According to gasbuddy.com, the average price of gas was $2.27 in Missouri, and the lowest price was $1.93 on Wednesday afternoon.

Labor Day weekend is one of the most anticipated holiday weekends of the year, and Callaway County can expect increased traffic on its two- and four-lane highways.

To that end, local law enforcement officers are pulling resources together and making plans for a rise in activity.

"Holiday weekends usually bring an increase in routine calls, deputies expect to be busy," Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism said. "Also, the Mokane World's Fair will be in progress; therefore, we will be conducting foot patrols there."

Gas prices most likely will increase, perhaps due to the effects of Hurricane Harvey. According to Jeanette Casselano, director of AAA public relations, the national gas price average is $2.37, rising four cents in just a week. At least eight oil refineries in Texas have shut down, and about a quarter of the Gulf Coast's oil refining capacity was taken offline.

"No doubt, Harvey has impacted operations and access to refineries in the Gulf Coast," Casselano said. "However, a clear understanding of overall damage at the refineries is unknown. Despite the country's overall oil and gasoline inventories being at or above five-year highs, until there is a clear picture of damage and an idea when refineries can return to full operational status, gas prices will continue to increase."

Capt. Michael A. Turner, commanding officer of Troop F of the Missouri Highway Patrol, said his officers will participate in Operation CARE, an accident reduction effort, and a special enforcement operation over this Labor Day weekend.

During Operation CARE, every available officer will be on the road enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists. The counting period for the holiday weekend will start 6 p.m. Friday and continue to 11:59 p.m. Monday.

Troop F officers will also participate in a special enforcement operation during peak travel periods Friday and Monday. Troopers will be assigned to 20-mile sections of Interstate 70 and U.S. 54 to maximize visibility, according to Turner.

Enforcement efforts on secondary roads within Troop F also will be conducted at the same time. Troopers will target all traffic violations throughout the weekend, being especially alert to excessive speed, careless and imprudent driving, and aggressive driving violations. Troopers also will be available to help motorists in need of assistance.

The only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens, Turner said. He cautioned drivers to make sure everyone in their vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint.

"Every day as we travel on Missouri's roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention and drive sober," he said. "Don't violate the trust."

Troop F also will be targeting all boating violations and will be especially vigilant to careless watercraft operations this weekend.

Sunny with a chance of fun

Weather.com reports all three Labor Day weekend days to be sunny, with a high 0f 81 on Saturday, 87 on Sunday and 89 degrees on Monday. Humidity will top out about 60 percent with a 10 percent chance of precipitation. Showers could appear on Tuesday.

Missouri Department of Transportation officials report they will close down most highway work zones for the busy weekend. Closures will start at noon Friday in most areas, but lane closures and barricades will remain in place. Construction work will resume 9 a.m. Tuesday. For more information, call MoDOT's 24/7 customer service line at 888-275-6636 or visit modot.org.

As of Wednesday, 562 people have died on Missouri highways this year. That is less than the same time period in 2016, when 576 fatalities were reported, according to MoDOT officials.