Law enforcement emphasizes safety over holiday

Beginning this weekend the Cape Girardeau Police Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol will concentrate on keeping motorists safe through the Thanksgiving holiday.

Cape Girardeau police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint starting Friday, said police chief Steve Strong. Motorists may notice minor delays in traffic flow throughout the weekend. The objective, Strong said, is to keep drunken drivers off the road.

"More than 40 percent of all fatal vehicle crashes involve alcohol," Strong said. "The chance of being involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash increases during weekend nights."

Strong added that officers will be looking for drivers who are impaired not only by alcohol, but by such other substances as illegal drugs and prescription medications.

Beginning the day before Thanksgiving, the patrol said it will participate in Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), which will continue until just before midnight Nov. 28.

All available officers will be assigned to Missouri roadways to enforce traffic laws, especially those related to drunken driving, speeding and seatbelt use, the patrol said.

During the 2003 Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 21 people were killed and another 546 injured in 1,365 traffic crashes throughout the state. That translates to one person being killed or injured every 10.8 minutes during last year's Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The patrol urges motorists to obey traffic laws and wear their seat belts, as well as to make sure they are well rested and their cars are in good condition before traveling.