"Throughout the weekend, troopers will be watching for unsafe driving behaviors with a special emphasis on motorists driving under the influence," stated Col. Peter C. Munoz, director of the MSP.  "Our goal is to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities on our roads during the Thanksgiving travel period."

The official Thanksgiving travel period begins at 6 p.m. on Wed., Nov. 25, 2009, and runs through midnight on Sun., Nov. 29, 2009.  Last year, nine fatal traffic crashes resulted in 13 deaths over this holiday period.  Of those who died, eight were not wearing safety belts, and alcohol was a known factor in seven of the crashes.

Operation C.A.R.E. began in 1977, as a collaborative effort between the MSP and Indiana State Police, and is one of the nation's longest-running traffic safety initiatives.  Today, it includes state and highway patrol agencies from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Quebec Police Force and the Virgin Islands.