FROM OUR FRIENDS AT MoDOT:
IMPAIRED AND IMPATIENT
MoDOT warns of traffic trifecta around Thanksgiving holiday
As thousands of Missouri drivers travel home to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends this week, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging them to exercise patience, caution and good judgment behind the wheel. The holiday week brings a trifecta of concerns to the roadway, including impaired driving, distracted driving and heavy interstate congestion.
The night before Thanksgiving, often referred to as "Blackout Wednesday," has become a popular night for get-togethers at bars before the holiday, often resulting in heavy drinking. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, from 2013 to 2017, more than 800 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, making it the deadliest holiday on our roadways.
"Driving impaired or allowing someone else to drive impaired is irresponsible and not worth the risk," said Jon Nelson, assistant to the state highway safety and traffic engineer. "Make the right choice this holiday season to drive sober or find another way to reach your destination."
Like Blackout Wednesday, Black Friday brings another hazard to Missouri roadways. On a day notoriously associated with impatient shoppers, MoDOT urges drivers to keep the online shopping out of the driver's seat.
"Everyone wants to hurry and find the best deals on Black Friday. Your best bet for staying safe on the way is to slow down, always buckle up, and put down the phone," said Nelson.
The likelihood of a distracted-driving incident increases during the holidays, as there are more drivers on the road. Rounding out the trifecta of holiday traffic concerns, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is one of the most popular travel days of the year, according to AAA, as most holiday travelers head home after a long weekend.
That means congestion. Missouri interstate routes will be heavily crowded, and MoDOT urges drivers to allow extra time for travel and plan their route according to the Traveler Information Map, which shows real-time road conditions and closures. The map is available at traveler.modot.org for desktop users, and mobile users can download the free mobile app from the iTunes App Store and Google Play. ... See MoreSee Less
Monroe County Health Department will be closed on Thursday, November 22, and Friday, November 23, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Join us in the celebration of blessings with loved ones! The health department will reopen Monday, November 26, at 8:00 a.m. ... See MoreSee Less
In light of the recent fire to the Paris Dollar General, Monroe County Health Department shares the following information. Fires are serious threats to life and property due to the smoke, extreme heat, and chemicals they produce. In addition, a fire may directly or indirectly affect foods in ways that could endanger your health.
The Paris Dollar General store threw away many foods and shelf-stable goods after its recent fire. People were seen removing these items from the dumpsters near the premises, even after the dumpsters were doused with bleach.
Heat can cause jars and cans to split and crack allowing contaminants to enter. Even if cans and jars appear undamaged, heat can cause the food to spoil. Smoke and chemicals from the fire and extinguishing system can penetrate Cryovac packaging, plastic wraps of all kinds, and get under bottle caps or screw tops. Firefighting chemicals can taint food and beverages, and packaged products.
All foods and beverages stored in a permeable packaging such as cardboard, foil, paper, screw top jars or bottles, or plastic wrap should be thrown away. All unwrapped fruits and vegetables should also be thrown away. Foods that were stored outside the refrigerator and which were exposed to smoke and fumes must be discarded. Foods in refrigerators or freezers may also be tainted by fumes since refrigerator seals are not airtight. Throw away foods from the refrigerator or freezer if they have signs of smoke damage, or have off odors or tastes. Ice, in both serving bins and machines, must be discarded. Throw away foods that were touched by firefighting chemicals. These chemicals are very poisonous and cannot be safely washed off foods. If you are not sure if the food was touched by firefighting chemicals, throw it away. Throw away disposable single-service utensils (plastic plates, cups etc.) that were exposed to smoke and chemicals.
Never taste food to determine its safety. Please remember that food unfit for human consumption is also unfit for pets. When in doubt, throw it out.
For more information, please contact Monroe County Health Department at 660/327-4653. ... See MoreSee Less
In celebration of Veterans' Day, the health department will be closed on Monday, November 12. We will reopen Tuesday, November 13, at 8:00 a.m. Thank you, Veterans, for everything you have done for this great country! ... See MoreSee Less
