LANSING — During the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day festivities, the Michigan State Police (MSP) is reminding motorists to make safe driving choices.

This Saturday, troopers will join their counterparts from across the country in the international traffic safety initiative, Operation C.A.R.E. (Crash Awareness and Reduction Efforts).

“We encourage everyone to celebrate safely this St. Patrick’s Day,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP. “As always, our troopers are taking a zero tolerance approach to those who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Plan ahead and designate a sober driver.”

The enforcement period begins at 12:01 a.m., on Saturday, March 17, and will end at 11:59 p.m.

Operation C.A.R.E. began in 1977 as a collaborative effort between the MSP and the Indiana State Police, and is one of the nation’s longest-running traffic safety initiatives. It focuses on deterring the three main causes of highway fatalities: aggressive driving, impaired driving and failure to use occupant restraints.