COLUMBIA — The Missouri State Highway Patrol starts counting traffic incidents for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend at 6 p.m. Wednesday, and officials say the holiday brings some of the busiest and most dangerous roads of the year.

As Thanksgiving travel starts, the Missouri Department of Transportation is urging drivers to slow down, stay alert and plan ahead before getting behind the wheel.

MoDOT State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson said the biggest danger is simply how many people will be on the road at the same time.

“People are trying to get to family or friend gatherings … all of that gets amplified in holiday seasons just by the sheer amount of people out traveling,” Nelson said.

He said impatience and distraction tend to rise during holiday travel.

“Everybody h

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