MEDIA ADVISORY

TO:                 News Directors, Editors

FROM:           Lt.  Everett Clendenin

                        Public Information Officer            

RE:                 Highway Patrol to Conduct Operation Slow Down 2005

On August 8-14, the Highway Patrol will be cracking down on speeders on the interstates and major four lane highways in Troop D (Greensboro area) and Troop E (Winston Salem, Salisbury areas).

Speed remains the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatal collisions in the state and the Highway Patrol receives numerous citizen complaints concerning motorists traveling at dangerous speeds on the highways.  Operation Slow Down 2005 is a Patrol initiative that addresses these concerns. 

Speeding citations issued by the Patrol have increased dramatically during the past five years.  A review by the Highway Patrol shows speeding citations revealed speeding citations in excess of 100 mph have increased 175 percent since 1999 and overall speeding citations have increased 147 percent since 1999. 

Troopers will be using motorcycles, Camaros, and unmarked patrol vehicles for this campaign.

A press event will be held on Monday, August 8, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Highway Patrol’s Troop D Headquarters office at 2527 East Market Street, Greensboro.  Bryan Beatty, Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and Major David Munday, Director of Special Operations of the Highway Patrol, will speak at the event.

For further information please call Lt. Everett Clendenin at 919-733-5027.