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Operation C.A.R.E.

Operation C.A.R.E.

2026 Rest Area Safety Breaks:

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), under certain circumstances, permits non-profit organizations to utilize highway rest areas, roadside park facilities, and scenic turnouts for the purposes of dispensing refreshments to motorists.

Requests sponsored by the MSP and MDOT are part of the Operation CARE program. MSP initially screens each permit application. Upon receipt of each permit application from MSP, MDOT may issue a permit. These permitted activities generally occur over the three major holidays each year: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Permit applicants may request the use of any rest area or roadside park.

Memorial Day
5/22/2026 - 5/26/2026

Fourth of July
7/3/2026 - 7/6/2026

Labor Day
9/4-2026 - 9/8/2026

Eligibility requirements:

In order for an organization to be eligible for a permit to use an MDOT rest area, roadside park, or scenic turnout facility, for the purpose of serving non-alcoholic refreshments to the motoring public, the following conditions must be met:

  • A permit may only be granted to an approved non-profit, charitable, or service-type organization undertaking public service-type work. This includes governmental agencies. Permits will not be granted to individuals or to organizations whose purpose is to make a profit or raise monies for anything other than public service.
  • The use of the facility shall be for the express purpose of improving the safety of highway travel and transportation. The use shall not be for the purpose of raising funds. However, it is recognized that donations offered, without solicitation, may be used for the purpose of supporting the public service activities of that organization.
  • In order for an organization to be considered an eligible permit applicant, for the use of MDOT roadside facilities, it must demonstrate a continued effort of public service. Compliance with the standard conditions of MDOT for the use of those facilities will be required. 

Permit requirements:

Permit issuance is subject to the following:

  • Each permit duration will not extend beyond the current calendar year.
  • The collection of donations will not be prohibited, but it must conform to the provisions of the standard conditions.
  • No insurance will be required from the permit applicant on behalf of MDOT in these activities. As a condition of the permit, it will be noted that the permit actually provides that the permit applicant “save harmless” MDOT. Nevertheless, an organization may voluntarily determine that it is in their best interest to name MDOT as a protected insured. 

Operation C.A.R.E. Special Emphasis Program Period
Period Title Begins Ends Number of Days Number of Hours
Super Bowl Sunday 00:01 Hours
Sunday, February 8		 Midnight
Sunday, February 8		 1 24
Spring Break / St. Patrick’s Day Mobilization 00:01 Hours
Monday, March 9		 Midnight
Tuesday, March 17		 9 216
Distracted Driving (NHTSA) 00:01 Hours
Monday, April 6		 Midnight
Monday, April 13		 8 192
Drug-Impaired Driving Campaign 00:01 Hours
Sunday, April 20		 Midnight
Sunday, April 20		 1 24
Cinco De Mayo 00:01 Hours
Tuesday, May 5		 Midnight
Tuesday, May 5		 1 24
All-American Buckle Up / Click it or Ticket / Memorial Day (Seatbelt) 00:01 Hours
Monday, May 11		 Midnight
Monday, May 25		 15 360
Fourth of July 00:01 Hours
Thursday, July 2		 Midnight
Sunday, July 5		 4 96
Labor Day 00:01 Hours
Friday, September 4		 Midnight
Monday, Sept. 7		 4 96
Thanksgiving 00:01 Hours
Wednesday, Nov. 25		 Midnight
Sunday, Nov. 29		 5 120
CARE Life Saver 00:01 Hours
Sunday, Dec. 20		 Midnight
Saturday, Jan. 2		 14 336

About Operation C.A.R.E.

Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts) began in 1977 as a collaborative effort between the Michigan State Police and the Indiana State Police and is one of the nation’s longest-running traffic safety initiatives. Operation C.A.R.E. was formed to deter the three key causes of highway fatalities: speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.

The vision that initiated the Operation C.A.R.E. program was born in the minds of two men who dedicated their careers to the preservation of life through highway safety measures. Sgt. Gary Ernst of the Michigan State Police and F/Sgt. Gene Neff of the Indiana State Police were first-line field supervisors who got together in 1977 to discuss their mutual concerns. Little did they know that their simple plan for interstate cooperation would lead to the program we have today.

The first Operation C.A.R.E. weekend was the July 4th holiday weekend in 1977 conducted by the Indiana State Police and our department. By Labor Day weekend of that year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol had joined Operation C.A.R.E. Today all 50 states (state police/state patrol), American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U. S. Virgin Islands, and the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec are actively involved in C.A.R.E., making it an international traffic safety program.

Due to the early success of Operation C.A.R.E. during the three traditional summer holiday weekends, it has expanded and now includes the All America Buckle Up Week in May, International Transportation Safety Week in June, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police/National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend.