Lt. Governor Burbank and Maryland State Police Announce Operation CARE Initiative to Improve Highway Safety over Memorial Day Holiday
PIKESVILLE, MD (May 23, 2030) – As the Memorial Day Weekend approaches, travelers are reminded that nearly 160 extra troopers will be deployed statewide to assist motorists and conduct traffic enforcement measures. Traffic is expected to be heavy along the interstates.
Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank announced today that the Maryland State Police will have extra troopers out on the roads in various capacities supplementing the troopers at each barrack. Troopers will be participating in several enforcement initiatives. Two enforcement operations which focus on seatbelt usage are already underway; “Click-It or Ticket” and the “Chiefs’ Challenge”. Barracks will be working with federal overtime grants for different speed, aggressive driving and driving under influence enforcement initiatives for the “Smooth Operator Campaign.”
“This weekend and all summer we are urging drivers to be careful and use common sense,” Lt. Governor Burbank said. “And we are deploying extra resources on Maryland’s highways to help you stay safe. We are suspending all construction on state highways this weekend. Maryland State Police and local police are increasing their patrols. And we are extending the Emergency Service Patrols that help stranded drivers with extra gas, a tire change or other services.”
“As you travel the highways in Maryland over the Memorial Day Weekend, whether you are heading to the mountains, the beach or just passing through, troopers will be out looking for speeders, aggressive drivers, drunken drivers and others who make travel unsafe,” Colonel Terrence B. Sheridan, Secretary of the Department of State Police said. “We make it our priority to keep Maryland motorists safe and traffic moving this holiday weekend and throughout the entire summer travel season.”
One of the most popular destinations in Maryland this weekend will be Ocean City. There will be increased traffic enforcement along U. S. Route 50 using both conventional and non-conventional methods during peak travel times.
State Police are taking part in “Operation CARE” during this weekend. In Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), police departments nationwide are working together to increase enforcement and reduce the number of collisions on interstate highways. State police responded to almost 400 motor vehicle collisions last Memorial Day Weekend.
Trooper tips for travelers include the following: plan the trip carefully, leave early, make sure you are rested, stay alert and calm behind the wheel. The most important tips are: obey the speed limit, don’t drink and drive and always buckle up. Motorists can report highway traffic hazards by dialing #77 on their cell phones or, for emergencies, dial 9-1-1.