The Vermont State Police participated in a national enforcement campaign, Operation Combined Accident Reduction Effort (Operation CARE) during this past 4th of July holiday weekend. The goal was to reduce serious injury and fatal motor vehicle crashes. The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to drunk-driving crashes. State Police results indicate that DUI and speeding incidents were down this year from the holiday weekend last year.
Operation CARE is about State Law Enforcement Agencies who have joined together in the endeavor of reducing human suffering on our highways, particularly during the national holidays. Launched in 1977 by Sgt. Gary Ernst of the Michigan State Police and First Sergeant Gene Neff of the Indiana State Police, Operation CARE evolved into a multi-jurisdictional program of patrol, enforcement, and planning activities committed to the goal of accident reduction. Since 1977 several organizations have joined with Operation CARE in a combined effort to deter the three key causes of highway fatalities: speeding, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.
This weekend the Vermont State Police encountered:
| 2014 | 2013 |
| Fatal crashes | |
| 2* | 0 |
| Alcohol related crashes | |
| 9 | 12 |
| Crashes | |
| 61 | 41 |
| DUI arrests | |
| 20 | 23 |
| Speeding violations issued | |
| 506 | 646 |
| Child seat belt violations issued | |
| 9 | 3 |
| Child seat warnings issued | |
| 1 | 4 |
| Seat belt violations issued | |
| 13 | 20 |
| Seat belt warnings | |
| 3 | 5 |
| Motorist assists | |
| 43 | 73 |
| * One fatal crash involved a lawn mower operator. | |