Increased road patrols this weekend

LANSING.  Beginning tonight, Michigan State Police (MSP) 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 purpose of this initiative is to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities resulting from crashes caused by dangerous driving behaviors.

“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 would like 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. 21, and runs through midnight on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012.  Last year there were eight fatal traffic crashes resulting in eight deaths over the Operation C.A.R.E. Lifesaver Weekend.

Operation C.A.R.E. began in 1977, as a collaborative effort between the MSP and Indiana State Police; it is 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.