Published: July 01, 2009 09:46 pm         

Authorities urge caution, CARE during holiday weekend

Indiana State Police remind motorists to do their part in making Indiana highways safe during this upcoming holiday.

Last year, five people were killed in motor vehicle crashes on Indiana roadways during the Independence Day driving period. According to Megan LaMade of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, three of those crashes were alcohol related and there were a total of 131 alcohol-related crashes during the July 4 holiday in 2008.

To help ensure the safety of motorists during this heavily traveled holiday, the Indiana State Police will be participating in Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) from July 3-7. Operation CARE is a federally funded program and will allow additional troopers to patrol area roadways over the period. Officers will also participate in Statewide Driving under the Influence Project (SWDUIEP). Troopers will target impaired drivers, motorists who speed, follow too closely, make unsafe lane changes, drive aggressively and fail to buckle up or properly restrain their children.

Troopers will be aggressively enforcing Indiana's child restraint and seat-belt laws. All occupants of a motor vehicle, including pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, are required to be secured in a seat belt or child safety seat in every seating position.

The Indiana State Police encourage all motorists to observe the following safety tips:

n If you're planning to travel a long distance make sure you are well rested. A fatigued driver is a dangerous driver.

n Avoid tailgating. Remember the two-second rule.

n Make sure everyone is buckled up.

n Never drink and drive.