The Director of Highway Safety, Leanna Depue said, "Over the past four years Missouri has recorded the highest number of fatal and serious injury crashes between July and September. In fact, between 2005 and 2008 we saw 1,124 lives lost during those summer months."

Lieutenant Colonel Richard Coffey believes the most common contributing circumstances to fatal accidents continue to be speed, inattention, and alcohol. He said that each of these are choices that drivers make before getting behind the wheel. 

"Each year hundreds of people are hurt or killed as a result of traffic accidents that could be prevented," said Coffey. 

Coffey said The High Enforcement Action Teams (H.E.A.T.) will be out in force. "Our officers are going to be looking to ensure that you are obeying the speed limit. We will ensure that if you are intoxicated, we will arrest you." Coffey continued to say, "We will make sure that if you are stopped for some reason, that you are wearing your seatbelt."

Another aspect of the "Heat is On" campaign is the mandatory installation of an ignition interlock system for repeat alcohol offenders. 

For more information about the ignition interlock system and who it will affect, visit "Ignition Interlock for Alcohol Offenders" in the links section.