RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia State Police plan to step up patrols on state highways this Fourth of July weekend.

It’s part of a national effort known as Operation CARE, which stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort. State police remind motorists to be especially careful if Tropical Storm Arthur brings inclement weather to Virginia as predicted.

Seven people were killed in traffic accidents in Virginia during the 2013 Fourth of July weekend. Troopers arrested 104 people for drunken driving and cited 11,350 motorists for speeding.

The clock starts ticking on this year’s three-day holiday weekend at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

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