State Police Launch Operation C.A.R.E.

Beginning Friday night, Michigan State Police troopers will join other highway patrol agencies from across the United States and Canada in an effort to make travel safer by participating in the annual Lifesaver weekend, Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) traffic safety initiative.

“The weekend before Christmas is typically a very busy travel period with shopping and celebrations, and troopers will take a zero-tolerance approach to intoxicated drivers, unbelted motorists, and those who are driving in an unsafe manner,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “The State Police wants this to be a safe and enjoyable holiday season for everyone.”

Operation C.A.R.E. Lifesaver weekend begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, and runs through midnight, on Sunday, Dec. 18. Last year, there were five traffic crashes that resulted in five deaths over the Operation C.A.R.E. Lifesaver weekend.

MSP troopers will also participate in the statewide “Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest” drunk driving enforcement campaign.

Operation C.A.R.E. began in 1977, as a collaborative effort between the MSP and Indiana State Police; it is now one of the nation’s longest-running traffic safety initiatives. Today, it includes state and highway patrol agencies from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Quebec Police Force and the Virgin Islands.