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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2007                                        07-50


State Highway Patrol Leaders Urge Motorists
to Stay Alive on I-5 this Labor Day

Anyone driving dangerously or impaired this Labor Day weekend may find themselves being pulled over by a state trooper with a little extra hardware on his uniform.

The heads of the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Oregon State Police (OSP) and Washington State Patrol (WSP) will join rank-and-file officers and troopers on interstate freeways and secondary highways as part of a national increased enforcement effort of crash-related violations.

CHP Commissioner Mike Brown, OSP Superintendent Tim McLain and WSP Chief John R. Batiste will join their officers beginning on Friday, August 31, to kickoff the tri-state enforcement effort that extends through Monday, September 3, 2007.  Coinciding with the national Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) campaign, each agency’s mission will be an “all-hands” on the road approach to be visible and available during the extended holiday weekend.

“We’re officers and troopers first,” said CHP Commissioner Brown.  “I’m happy to get out on the road in an effort to save lives and emphasize that traffic safety, enforcement and service to the motoring public starts at the top.”

The agency heads will focus their patrols on Interstate 5, which runs through all three states.

“The same behaviors cause collisions, regardless of where you live,” said OSP Superintendent McLain.  “Speeding and driving while distracted or impaired are huge contributing factors in traffic crashes.  We hope the extra patrol presence and active enforcement can help prevent as many crashes as possible.”

Other members of each agency’s command staff will be encouraged to work the road in their respective areas to put more visible, active patrol presence throughout each State.

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“This is good for us, too,” said WSP Chief Batiste.  “It gives us a chance to see things from the perspective of the troopers we lead.”

During last year’s extended Labor Day Holiday weekend:

In California, 46 people died in 30 separate traffic crashes
In Oregon, 6 people died in four separate traffic crashes
In Washington, 11 people died in 11separate traffic crashes

With the extra enforcement presence on each State’s highways, motorists should watch for and yield to public safety personnel as they respond to emergencies and assist motorists along the states’ highways and streets.

With one voice, all three leaders urged everyone to buckle up and emphasized the following safety tips for those traveling on their highways:

Don't drink and drive.  Report drunk drivers, call 9-1-1.
Don’t Speed.  Obey the posted speed limit and drive at a speed safe for conditions.
Always use safety restraints and child safety seats correctly.
Be watchful for emergency vehicles displaying required warning lights and using emergency equipment. Yield when required and maintain a safe distance when they are working on our highways.
Get plenty of rest before starting out. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
Expect the unexpected. Be informed and prepared when traveling on any of our highways.
When traveling anywhere, plan ahead and taken known routes if possible.
If considering a remote route that you have never traveled on, contact available road and weather condition phone number or Internet resources, or contact police or highway department officials for road information.
Be aware that many road construction projects are underway. Even when workers are not present, all work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert.
All motorists play an important part in keeping our highways and city streets safe; immediately report aggressive, dangerous, and intoxicated drivers by calling 9-1-1.


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