The Connecticut State Police are stressing safety this holiday weekend with increased highway patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the state.

Because of increased traffic for the Fourth of July holiday, troopers will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) starting at midnight Sunday and running through midnight Tuesday to reduce speed and drunken driving.

Troopers from Troop E in Montville will have roving patrols from Thursday through Monday on major roads and highways from Interstate 95 up to Lisbon and Griswold. Troop K will have roving patrols Thursday through Saturday from Salem to Bolton and with Troop E on Sunday and Monday.

Troop E also will have a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday at Wheeler High School on Route 2 in North Stonington.

The state police also are reminding residents that fireworks other than sparklers and fountains are illegal in Connecticut, and damage or injuries as a result of fireworks could lead to a criminal charge.