Pa. State Police Show Force Over Holiday Weekend; More than 300 Drivers Injured Over 2004 Holiday

Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Jeffrey Miller has urged motorists to buckle up and drive safely during the four-day Labor Day holiday driving period, Sept. 2-5.

“We want everyone to get home safely,” Miller said. “Make sure that you and your passengers are properly buckled up before you turn the key. Be a courteous driver. And please, stay out of the driver’s seat if you’ve been drinking.”

During last year’s official Labor Day holiday driving period, 12 individuals were killed and 313 were injured in 664 crashes investigated by State Police. Nine of those killed were not wearing seat belts and two persons died in alcohol-related crashes, according to Miller.

State Police again this year will participate in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), a national program committed to traffic-crash reduction on interstate highways during holiday weekends.

“Operation C.A.R.E. is now in its 28th year of operation,” Miller said. “The program was started to deter the three key causes of highway traffic fatalities: speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.”

Miller said troopers will engage in highly visible, aggressive traffic-law enforcement activity during the holiday period.