AAA Indiana is predicting 35.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their home during this Labor Day weekend, the traditional last weekend of summer. They predict the highest travel volume since 2008, mainly due to the lowest gas prices in a decade
To help ensure the safety of all motorists during the Labor Day Holiday period, the Indiana State Police will be participating in Operation Pull Over, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” C.A.R.E., Combined Accident Reduction Effort, and DUIEP, or Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Project. These programs are federally funded and allow extra troopers to patrol Hoosier highways during the upcoming holiday weekend looking for aggressive and impaired drivers.
Indiana State Police encourage all motorists to observe the following safety tips:
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Leave early. Allow extra time to get to your destination.
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Make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up.
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Don’t use cruise control in heavy traffic.
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Always signal lane changes.
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Use headlights even during daylight hours.
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Reduce your speed in rain and NEVER DRIVE INTO WATER FLOWING OVER THE ROADWAY.
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Decrease your speed in construction zones-Obey posted speed limits.
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REMEMBER TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, TOW TRUCKS, SERVICE TRUCKS AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE VEHICLES!!
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Make sure you are well rested. A fatigued driver is as dangerous as an impaired driver.
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Increase the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you, especially in construction zones.
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Don’t forget to watch for slow moving farm equipment on county and state roads.
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Watch attentively for motorcycles. Check blinds spots before changing lanes and look twice at intersections before you turn or pull out into traffic.
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Anticipate hazards that may confront a motorcyclist like large pot holes, debris, or other hazardous road conditions.
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Be cautious and observant when turning left. A primary cause of crashes between vehicles and motorcycles is when a vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle
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Obey all traffic laws and never drive impaired.
The Lowell District covers the seven counties of Lake, Porter LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke counties. Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1. Give a vehicle description, location, and direction of travel.
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Wojas
