While families travel across the country and gather together for countless helpings of turkey, cranberry sauce, and Aunt Millie’s eggnog, police officers brace themselves for the beginning of the busy holiday travel period, often punctuated by party revelers speeding and driving under the influence.

Many of the additional troopers on patrol in Maryland starting this weekend will be funded through federal highway enforcement grants. This is in addition to a full complement of patrol troopers statewide.

“Troopers will be out in force for one of the three busiest travel holidays of the year,” says Maryland State Police Secretary Col. Thomas E. Hutchins. “Strict enforcement by troopers has proven to help reduce crashes. I urge everyone to drive safely, responsibly, and sober so all may be thankful this Thanksgiving.”

The Thanksgiving holiday as nationally recognized as one of the CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) holidays. State police agencies across the country who participate in Operation CARE increase the number of road patrol personnel by reassigning administrative officers to the highways throughout the holiday period. In Maryland, the areas of heightened awareness and enforcement are seat belt and child safety seat violations, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.