The Missouri Highway Patrol, including Troop F officers, will deploy a special initiative this weekend to keep highways safe.
According to Capt. Michael A. Turner, Troop F commander, officers will participate in Operation CARE - Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort.
The objective of these operations is to promote safety and reduce traffic crashes, he said.
"We expect many motorists to be traveling throughout Missouri over this holiday period," Turner said. "Our goal is very simple: We want everyone to arrive at their destination safely. Taking the job of driving seriously and remembering to buckle up will help us reach that goal."
In addition to Operation CARE, Troop F also will participate in a special enforcement operation during the peak travel periods on Wednesday and next Sunday. During this operation, Troop F officers will be assigned to 20-mile stretches of Interstate 70 to maximize visibility. Enforcement efforts on secondary roads within Troop F will be conducted during the same timeframe.
Over the entire holiday weekend, troopers will also be targeting all traffic violations and will be especially vigilant to excessive speed, careless and imprudent driving, and aggressive driving violations. Troopers will also be available to help motorists in need of assistance.
The only 100-percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens, Turner said.
"Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint," he warned. "Every day as we travel on Missouri's roads, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober."