NORTHEAST MO. -- As the Labor Day weekend approaches and an increased amount of motorist will be on the road, Missouri State Patrol will be doing all they can to keep the roadways as safe as possible.

Last year, 13 people died across Missouri highways during the extended weekend.

This year the state patrol is participating in Operation C.A.R.E which is a national enforcement plan to promote safety across the highway.  

C.A.R.E. stands for combined accident reduction effort and in Missouri that means having all available troopers working during the holiday period.

In combination with the C.A.R.E. program, you should see patrolman frequently along area highways.

"They will be on (highway) 24, 36, 63," said Sgt. Brent Bernhardt of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. "During those 20-mile trooper programs, troopers will be stationed or patrolling in 20-mile increments to step up the enforcement of the holiday period."

Along with the enforcement side, Sgt. Bernhardt says because of the extra cars on the highway, the officers are there for roadside emergencies too.