As we roll on into summer, it is good to be aware that we are in the middle of the 100 deadliest days of summer. This nickname is given to the period from the last weekend of May to the end of the long Labor Day weekend in September.
It is a risky time now for motorists and their passengers due to the extra traffic on the roads from vacationers and teenage drivers with new licenses. Some drivers add alcohol or illegal drugs to that mix, and the odds of an accident jump skyward. Additionally, summer is the time for road construction in Missouri, presenting even more driving hazards.
Why this designation matters
Over just Memorial Day weekend 2025, police responded to three boating wrecks and 868 traffic collisions across the state of Missouri. There were also 81 people charged for boating/driving while intoxicated during that same weekend.
Police are out in droves now
Due to the enhanced risk of deadly driving in summer, police forces are conducting extra patrols of the streets and highways. They stop motorists whom they suspect of speeding and committing other traffic infractions, leaving the door open to a DWI or DUI if they see signs of impairment or intoxication.
What happens in those first critical minutes after a traffic stop is vital. Be mindful of your rights against self-incrimination in all your interactions with law enforcement during the stop. You have the right not to answer all but the most basic identification questions, but it is important never to lie to the police.