MSHP to participate in ‘Operation C.A.R.E.’ over Labor Day holiday weekend

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced it will participate in "Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness and Reduction Effort)" during the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The 2026 counting period will be from 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, and will end at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

All available troopers will be patrolling Missouri's roadways and waterways. Troopers on roadways will be enforcing Missouri's speed limit, seat belt and impaired driving laws, in addition to being available for motorists.

The Patrol is encouraging drivers to use the Missouri Department of Transportation's Traveler Information Map to plan travel days due to ongoing road construction throughout the state.

MSHP is reminding drivers and boaters to follow all of Missouri's laws and be courteous. Always wear a seatbelt when traveling in a vehicle, and wear a life jacket when near, on or in the water.

In 2025, there were 423 people injured in 931 traffic crashes over the Labor Day holiday. Troopers arrested 104 people for driving while intoxicated.

The public is encouraged to call the Patrol's Emergency Report Line at 800-525-5555 or *55 on a cellular phone if criminal activity is witnessed or if there is an emergency.

The emergency numbers are operational for both highway and water emergencies.

MSHP said that if celebrations include intoxicating substances, designate someone else to drive, whether you are in a boat or a car.