Lieutenant Mike Nichols, Commander of the Redkey District has announced troopers will participate in Operation Pull Over Blitz #61. This blitz is Safe Family Travel and will use federal funding to put additional officers on the road during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
According to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, 15 people were killed in crashes on Indiana roadways during the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday period. More than 66 percent of those fatalities were alcohol related. Additionally, in more than two-thirds of the fatal crashes that occurred around Thanksgiving, the person killed was not wearing a seat belt.
Safe Family Travel is a statewide, annual enforcement campaign that combines high visibility seat belt and impaired driving patrols. The two-week enforcement effort begins on Friday, November 13th and concludes Sunday, November 29th.
Troopers will watch for impaired drivers, motorists who speed, follow too closely, make unsafe lane changes, drive aggressively, and fail to buckle up or properly restrain their children.
All occupants of a motor vehicle, including pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles are required to be secured in a seat belt or child safety seat in every seating position.
Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Inspectors will also be working throughout the holiday period focusing on commercial motor vehicle violations. Troopers will also conduct driving under the influence patrols during the two week enforcement period.
Some safety tips:
- If you are planning to travel make sure you are well rested, a fatigued driver is a dangerous driver.
- Avoid tailgating; remember the two-second rule.
- Make sure everyone is buckled up.
- Put down the electronic devices and drive.
- MOVE OVER, SLOW DOWN for emergency vehicles.
"If you are going to celebrate the holidays with alcohol, all Hoosiers should have a designated driver in an effort to reduce alcohol related deaths and injuries," Nichols said.
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