Indiana State Police to deploy Operation CARE blitz over July 4 holiday to curb deadly crashes

Governor Braun and Indiana State Police announced a statewide enforcement operation ahead of the July 4 holiday aimed at reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Governor Braun opened the briefing marking the nation's 250th birthday and warned Hoosiers that holiday weekends bring additional hazards on the road. He said last year's July 4 weekend saw 1,865 crashes statewide, 23 people were killed and 92 crashes involved alcohol or drugs. "If you're drinking this weekend, please don't drive," he said.

Superintendent Scott said the Indiana State Police will participate in the Operation CARE Blitz, a multi-jurisdictional traffic initiative first launched in 1977 by the Michigan State Police and the Indiana State Police and supported by national partners including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. "Operation CARE is a multi-jurisdictional traffic initiative... its goal is to reduce highway fatalities and severe injuries," he said.

Scott outlined enforcement priorities for the blitz: speed enforcement, impaired-driving enforcement, and occupant-restraint enforcement. Troopers will be deployed alongside municipal police and sheriff's departments to target crash causation factors such as speeding, violations of the hands-free law, unsafe lane movements and following too closely. He also said troopers will continue efforts to interdict dangerous and illegal drugs trafficked on state highways.

The superintendent offered safety advice to travelers and cited an AAA projection that nearly 62 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles this holiday weekend. "Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before the party starts," he said, adding travelers should use taxis or ride-hailing services if necessary, buckle seatbelts and report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911.

Scott closed by stressing the goal is saving lives, not issuing tickets. "Drunk driving is 100% preventable," he said.

The briefing concluded with a question-and-answer session during which officials clarified that the 1,865 crash total covered the July 4 weekend (Friday through Sunday) last year and that this year's blitz will emphasize partnering with local agencies to avoid similar outcomes.

The Indiana State Police said the blitz will be active across the state during the holiday period; no specific numerical targets or additional resource counts were provided at the briefing.