LANSING - Michigan State Police will once again take part in Operation C.A.R.E. during Memorial Day weekend.

Operation C.A.R.E., which stands for Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts, was created in 1977 in partnership between the Michigan State Police and the Indiana State Police. Besides Michigan and Indiana, Operation C.A.R.E. includes all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Quebec Police Force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Last year, there were 10 fatal car accidents during Memorial Day weekend that resulted in 10 deaths. The Michigan State Police is taking part in this safety protocol to ensure that people are safe during Memorial Day weekend.

“As part of Operation C.A.R.E., the statewide Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign, and the 6 State Trooper Project, troopers will take a zero-tolerance approach to unbuckled motorists,” Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, Director of the Michigan State Police, said in a news release. “In addition to looking for safety belt and child restraint violations, troopers will pay special attention to drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and drugs or are driving in a reckless and unsafe manner.”

The enforcement period for Operation C.A.R.E. began at 12:01 a.m. on May 21 and will end at 11:59 p.m. on May 28.