State Police Plan Safety Programs

From the Rhode Island State Police:

Colonel Steven G. O’Donnell, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, announced that commencing Monday, May 16, 2011 and continuing through and including Sunday, June 5, 2011, the Rhode Island State Police will be participating in the following three traffic enforcement mobilization details:

• Operation C. A. R. E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) – American Buckle-up Week from May 18, 2011 through May 25, 2011

• Click-it or Ticket May 23, 2011 through June 5, 2011

• Operation C. A. R. E. Memorial Day Weekend May 23 through May 31, 2011

C.A.R.E is a national effort to reduce death and injury on the highways. State and local law enforcement agencies throughout the nation will participate in these efforts to increase enforcement of seat belt infractions, child safety laws, speed enforcement, and all other moving motor vehicle violations.

Click it or Ticket and American Buckle-up marks a high point in our push for greater seat belt and child safety seat compliance. Patrols are asked to vigorously enforce the seat belt and child restraint laws in order to educate the public on saving lives. Traffic crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for children and teenagers between the ages of four and twenty years of age.

Memorial Day Weekend is traditionally the start of the summer vacation and travel season. We can expect an increase in the volume of traffic along the highways throughout the state. Therefore, patrols will be vigorously concentrating on speeders, aggressive and reckless drivers, and we will be assigning additional patrols to DUI enforcement. Additionally, unmarked and low profile vehicles will be utilized by patrols to maximize the deterrent effort.

The public is reminded that Rhode Island Law requires all operators and passengers to buckle up, and that people who are stopped for any reason and who are not wearing a seatbelt or using a child safety seat will be ticketed. Statistics show that safety belts save lives.

For more information, visit the RI State Police website.