MSHP is making changes to online crash reports

MISSOURI (KFVS) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol is changing the way it posts its preliminary reports online.

According to MSHP, the names of those involved in traffic accidents and preliminary reports of boating/drowning incidents are no longer being released.

It started on Friday, November 1st at 3 p.m.

According to the Highway Patrol, they have recently been notified of fraud incidents across the state involving car accident victims and/or individuals associated with someone involved in the accident. They say the suspects may have used information from public databases, including the patrol's online reports, to appear credible.

MSHP regularly reviews its policies, procedures and general orders. They say advances in technology and social media platforms were “an important consideration in this decision.”

Gender, age, type of injury, city/state and other information will continue to be released.

“The Patrol’s mission is to protect the safety and public interest of those we serve. The public safety benefits of disseminating information regarding the identification of a traffic, boating accident, or drowning victim no longer outweigh the risks of disseminating the names. Importantly, all parties with a legal right to access such information can easily do so through the Missouri State Highway Patrol Public Records Center. “This decision is also consistent with the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, 18 USC § 2721,” a press release said.

According to MSHP, the process for releasing preliminary information on Highway Patrol arrests will not change.

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