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The Oklahoma Highway Patrol announced that troopers will be out in full force during the Labor Day weekend. They will patrol highways and waterways, paying special attention to drunk drivers, speeders and those not wearing seat belts. They will also be looking for reckless activity on lakes.
The OHP is participating in the national “Drunk Driving – Over The Limit – Under Arrest” campaign, which runs through Monday, a media release states. They are asking the public to report erratic driving by pulling over to safe location and calling *55 on their cell phones. Troopers will need a description of the vehicle, its location and direction of travel.
Drivers also need to be on the lookout for construction. Interstate 40 is narrowed to one lane in each direction between U.S. 64 near Warner and the Arkansas River through Muskogee County for resurfacing. Eastbound Interstate 40 is narrowed to one lane near the Arkansas state line for resurfacing. Oklahoma 51 is narrowed to one lane in each direction east of Coweta in Wagoner County for bridge work. U.S. 69 is narrowed to one lane in each direction at U.S. 266 in Checotah for ramp reconstruction.
The OHP is also launching Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) to raise public awareness about safety during the holiday weekend. It begin at 6 p.m. today and ends at midnight Monday.
OHP spokesman Capt. Chris West said nine people were killed and 301 injured on Oklahoma roads during the 2009 Labor Day weekend.
“Five of the nine fatality victims in 2009 were not wearing their safety belts, and four of seven were alcohol related,” he said in the release. “We always stress the importance of seat belts and not drinking an driving, but people still fail to listen.”
The OHP said thousands of Oklahomans who spend the holiday on area lakes should follow simple safety tips. These include having required equipment such as life jackets, personal flotation devices, a fire extinguisher, and use of navigation lights after sunset. Every child under 12 is required to wear a life jacket.
The OHP said most boat crashes are the result of inattention and alcohol consumption, intensified by the glare of the sun and heat. Penalties for operating watercraft while intoxicated are the same as motor vehicles — jail time, loss of driving privileges, fines and court costs.
