Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, reminds everyone there will be an increase in traffic over the Thanksgiving holiday. The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, with Wednesday and Sunday afternoon/evenings being the most heavily traveled times. Drivers should expect more traffic and the possibility of delays throughout the weekend. Regardless of traffic patterns, safety should remain a priority. The counting period for the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday weekend is from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2025, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 30, 2025. Troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort), enforcing all traffic laws, and available to assist the public. Over the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, 11 people were killed and 571 injured in 1,664 traffic crashes. If you plan to travel over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend be aware of work zones, obey all traffic laws, and make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt or secured in the appropriate child safety seat for their size and age. Remember: Missouri is a hands-free state, so put the phone down and buckle up. There is never a reason to speed, drive aggressively, or drive impaired.