State Police: 'Our Goal Is to Have Zero Fatalities this Holiday Weekend'

State Police are urging drivers to be responsible this Labor Day weekend.

“The holiday season brings a heightened risk of people engaging in the dangerous behavior of drinking and driving,” police said in a statement. “Distracted driving and texting while driving have become a national epidemic.”

Police said officers will hold sobriety checkpoints and conduct increased patrols looking for drunk drivers.

MassDOT also encouraged motorists to plan ahead for safe travel.

The heaviest I-90 Labor Day traffic is expected to be on Thursday and Friday westbound, and Monday afternoon and evening, heading east.

MassDOT will suspend all road and bridge construction on major roadways from 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2. The I-93 Southeast Expressway HOV lane will open early at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29. MassDOT statewide live traffic cameras will be available for viewing.

Motorists are encouraged to download the free RideWise smart phone application that provides users with access to real time traffic information on Interstate 93, sections of the Massachusetts Turnpike, Route 3 on the South Shore and Route 6/Mid-Cape Highway. RideWise is available on all major platforms including iPhone, Android, and Windows Phone. Those who do not have E-ZPass are encouraged to sign up to avoid waiting in line at cash toll booths.