Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is prepared for the increase in travelers this holiday weekend as they target motorist who fail to comply with the states seat belt law. " The Oklahoma Highway Patrol enforces a ‘no tolerance' policy when it comes to safety belts and child restraint violations, we DO NOT issue warnings. Every operator and front seat passenger along with anyone under the age of thirteen is required to be buckled up, or be in an approved safety seat belt system," said Captain Chris West, Department of Public Safety spokesman.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers will be out in full force over the "Memorial Day" weekend in an effort to keep accidents as well as injuries and fatality numbers down. "Along with safety belts troopers will be diligently looking for speeding violators, aggressive drivers, unsafe lane changes and those who chose to drink and drive," said West.

Along with the "National All America Buckle-Up" campaign, Oklahoma troopers will join forces with other state police and highway patrol organizations across the country in a campaign known as "Operation C.A.R.E. (combined accident reduction effort) which focuses primarily on speed, safety belt and DUI enforcement.

"Oklahoma roadways are seeing a significant decrease in fatalities this year, and we hope the trend continues through Memorial Day weekend. Last year up to the Memorial Day weekend which began on May 22, state roads experienced 249 fatalities and this year for the same time frame we only have 158 fatalities. That's a very significant reduction in traffic fatalities and something to be excited about," said West.

"Troopers will be on the water as well as the road enforcing drinking and driving on Oklahoma lakes," Lieutenant Kurt McKean, Lake Patrol Section of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reminds people. "Be mindful of the lake levels and watch for any floating debris from all our recent storms."

"Everyone 13 and under are required to wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket and I encourage all adults as well," McKean says. "We ask all parents to watch their children closely when they are playing around the water."

Lt. McKean says, "Children 12-16 years of age are required by law to have a 'Boating Safety' class before operating a personal watercraft and/or a motorboat in excess of 10 hp."