Highway Patrol Troop D prepares for Memorial Day highway and waterway traffic

(From Highway Patrol Troop D)

Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer Troop D, Springfield, announces that Troop D will be participating in enforcement operations throughout the Memorial Day weekend. The objective of these operations is to promote safety and reduce traffic crashes. Throughout the holiday weekend, troopers within Troop D and throughout the state will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness & Reduction Effort). In addition to Operation C.A.R.E., Troop D will participate in a special enforcement operation during the peak travel periods on Friday, May 26, and Monday, May 29. During this operation, Troop D troopers will be assigned to 20-mile stretches of Interstate 44 to maximize visibility. Enforcement efforts on secondary roads within Troop D will be conducted during the same timeframe. Over the entire holiday weekend, troopers will be targeting all traffic violations and will be especially vigilant to excessive speed, careless and imprudent driving, and aggressive driving violations. Troopers also will be available to help motorists in need of assistance.

The only 100 percent survivable traffic crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri’s roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober. “Don’t Violate The Trust.”

The Memorial Day weekend is also an unofficial start to the boating season. Boating is a great pastime and troopers want everyone to enjoy themselves in a safe manner. Troop D troopers will be targeting all boating violations and will be especially vigilant to careless watercraft operations throughout the entire holiday weekend. Never operate a boat while you are impaired; never ride with an impaired operator. Please be courteous to others on the water, wear a life jacket, and obey the law regarding safe operation of a vessel and no wake zones. Troopers will also be available to help boaters in need of assistance.

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!