STATE TROOPERS WILL BE CRACKING DOWN ON AGGRESSIVE DRIVING DURING THE THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 

 

RALEIGH ‑‑ The Highway Patrol will be targeting aggressive drivers on North Carolina interstates beginning Wednesday and continuing through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The aggressive driver has been identified as those drivers who flagrantly violate the motor vehicle laws, including but not limited to: excessive speeding, following too closely, erratic lane changes, safe movement violations, and other forms of reckless endangerment.

Aggressive drivers account for a significant number of the traffic collisions that occur on the state roadways. “This high-volume holiday travel period is traditionally one of our busiest and deadliest,” said Colonel W. Fletcher Clay, Commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Getting to your destination safely should be your number one goal; don’t try to cut off a few minutes of your drive time by speeding or driving aggressively. It’s just not worth it,” said Clay.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Patrol will also be participating in the state’s “Booze It and Lose It” anti-drunk driving campaign and the national Combined Accident Reduction Effort, (C.A.R.E). Sobriety checkpoints are being held throughout the state during the entire week. The Thanksgiving holiday weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24 and ends at midnight, Sunday, November 28. Last year, there were 2,562 crashes, 1,396 injuries and 19 fatalities statewide during the holiday period.

Citizens can report highway problems to the Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on their cellular phones. The toll‑free call goes directly to the nearest Highway Patrol communication center.