Last year, 10 people didn’t come from their end-of-summer Labor Day weekend trips.

Thursday, September 02, 1999

Last year, 10 people didn’t come from their end-of-summer Labor Day weekend trips.

They died in traffic accidents.

Another 360 were delayed in arriving home from Labor Day holiday trips.

They were injured.

It doesn’t have to happen that way.

This weekend, 110 law enforcement agencies and all Minnesota State patrol districts will be working overtime "Safe & Sober" enforcement.

Additionally, 200 agencies will put extra patrols on the road.

The "Safe & Sober" enforcement program concentrates law enforcement officers at high-risk locations. The patrols will pay particular attention to speed and aggressive driving.

Colonel Anne Beers, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, is among those who lament how something so happy can turn tragic in an instant.

"I hope there will come a day when I do not have to talk about deaths and injuries after every holiday," Col. Beers said. "The grief and pain behind these traffic crashes are shared by many families – and really by all Minnesotans. Until everyone follows the basic safety rules of the road, we are all under some degree of risk when we travel on Minnesota’s highways."

Thus, this Labor Day weekend, we say buckle up, don’t drink and drive, control your speed and drive courteously. Share the road.

And above all else, come home alive and well.