KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Traffic fatalities in Missouri have increased 6% from the same date in 2019, according to Sandy Karsten, Missouri Department of Public Safety director.
“That should not be happening when traffic on highways is down from last year,” Karsten said. “And the reason seems very clear, when the roads were empty. Some motorists drove 25, 35 or even 45 miles an hour above the posted speed limit.”
Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers have seen a 55% increase in drivers exceeding speed limits by 26 or more miles more than the speed limit.
MSHP has moved more troopers into marked vehicles for traffic enforcement, according to Karsten.
In Kansas City, officers have seen an increase in drivers traveling more than 100 mph.
