Oklahoma highways will be guarded with troopers this week

With the upcoming holiday travel, the  Oklahoma Highway Patrol will be in full force along I-35 and I-40 for the safety of traveling motorists.

The OHP says Operation C.A.R.E. or Combined Accident Reduction Effort will be targeting alcohol-related offenses, speed, safety belts and child restraint usage and will use a “No Tolerance” policy.

OHP will have one trooper spread out every 15 miles on the two busiest highways in the state beginning on Thursday.

“The Oklahoma Highway Patrol will be diligent in the enforcement of the rules of the road with emphasis on those who choose to drink and drive,” said Highway Patrol Chief, Colonel Kerry Pettingill.

“Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to get together with family and friends, but we want people to get where they are going and return home safely,” Pettingill concluded with.

In 2010, there were six fatalities, of those six, four were alcohol or drug related, and three of those killed were not wearing safety belts.

In 2009, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported 612 crashes resulting in seven fatalities.