Michigan State Police To Increase Patrols For Fourth Of July

MICHIGAN — Michigan State Police will be patrolling this holiday, joining troopers across the country cracking down on offenses during Fourth of July travel.

During this Fourth of July holiday, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is reminding motorists to make safety a priority when driving. Again this year, troopers will join their counterparts from across the country in the international traffic safety initiative Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts), which aims to reduce or eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries.

The official Fourth of July holiday period begins at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, July 3, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4. Police will increase patrols during this time.

Last year, 14 fatal traffic crashes resulted in 14 deaths over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, police said.

“Be the type of driver you want everyone else to be: courteous, sober and 100 percent committed to the task at hand,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “Celebrate responsibly this Fourth of July by arranging for a sober driver, wearing your seatbelt every trip and refraining from distractions while behind the wheel.”

Police will specifically be looking for drunk/drugged driving and seatbelt use this year, authorities said Monday.

Operation C.A.R.E. began in 1977 as a collaborative effort between the MSP and the Indiana State Police, and is one of the nation’s longest-running traffic safety initiatives. It focuses on deterring the three main causes of highway fatalities: aggressive driving, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.

Image courtesy the Michigan State Police

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