Highway Patrol ‘Operation Safe’ Ushers in July 4 Holiday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, July 3, 2012
CONTACT: Terry Woster, Public Information Officer, 605.773.3178
Highway Patrol ‘Operation Safe’ Ushers in July 4 Holiday
PIERRE, S.D. – All available South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers are on the roads today (Tuesday) in a high-visibility “Operation Safe’’ to remind motorists to make safe and responsible decisions during their July 4th holiday travel.
The statewide enforcement and education effort comes after a weekend during which five fatal highway crashes resulted in eight deaths. Another person received life-threatening injuries in one of the crashes.
“Those fatal crashes turned a typical summer weekend into tragedy for the families of the victims,’’ said Col. Craig Price, Superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. “Our preliminary reports show alcohol was a factor in two of the fatal crashes, and speed was a factor in at least one and perhaps two crashes. In addition, victims in two crashes weren’t wearing seatbelts.’’
Price said he hoped the presence of virtually all uniformed troopers on the highways Tuesday would reinforce the importance of following speed limits and other traffic laws, wearing seatbelts on all trips and having a sober driver at the wheel.
“We know holiday traffic will be heavier than normal, and motorists need to be especially vigilant,’’ said Lee Axdahl, director of the Office of Highway Safety. “But playing it safe is important on every trip. If we all make safe decisions, we can prevent most crashes.’’
The Highway Patrol, the Office of Highway Safety and law enforcement agencies across the state have made safe travel the focus of a summer-long campaign called “100 Days of Heat.” The campaign focuses on preventing drunk driving and speeding while encouraging seatbelt use. It includes enforcement, education, public service announcements and non-traditional marketing elements.
Statistics from the state Office of Accident Records show that about half of South Dakota’s traffic fatalities occur during the summer months. Each year, the holidays with the most car accidents are Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day – a span of time that covers nearly 100 days.
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