As the school year ends and children are being dismissed for summer break, I would like to remind everyone to be safe and drive cautiously as children will be out playing, riding bikes and having fun.

I would also like to remind everyone traveling in a vehicle to always wear your seat belt. Six out of 10 people killed in Missouri traffic crashes are unbuckled. Missouri has a 79 percent seat belt use, which is well below the national average of 87 percent. Teens and pick-up drivers are among those least likely to buckle up at 67 and 63 percent. Seat belt use is the most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. So lets all Buckle Up and Arrive Alive seatbelts do save lives.

Barry County has some of the best fishing, camping and boating areas in Missouri. I would like to remind everyone traveling on our roadways to never drink and drive. I know that everyone wants to have a good time, but if you are drinking, please make sure you have a designated driver. Not only do you risk your life when you drive impaired, you are putting the other drivers you share the roadway with at risk too. If you are caught driving under the influence of alcohol, you can loose your drivers license and be charged in court with a DWI. If you are involved in an accident while driving under the influence, the consequences could even be more severe. The same also applies to operating a Boat under the influence of alcohol. Always let someone sober drive. The Barry County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol will be watching for impaired drivers on our roadways and on the lake.

While you are traveling our roadways, boating on the lake, camping in our campgrounds, or fishing, please remember to practice safety at all times.

I hope everyone has a great Summer!