Operation Slow Down 2005

 

RALEIGH -- The Highway Patrol will conduct Operation Slow Down 2005 to crackdown on excessive speeders on North Carolina highways. Operation Slow Down 2005 will be conducted statewide and will primarily focus on motorists exceeding the posted speed limits on the interstates and major four-lane highways.

"The Highway Patrol is responding to the increase of high speeds on our interstates and highways," said Colonel W. Fletcher Clay, commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. "Speed is the leading cause of fatal traffic collisions and all collisions in our state. I have instructed our Troopers to aggressively enforce the speed limit laws."

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

"The Highway Patrol is determined to reduce fatal collisions in North Carolina and going after speeders who recklessly endanger the public will help us do that," said Bryan Beatty, secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. "Excessive speeding is one of the complaints we receive most from drivers. Operation Slow Down 2005 is an effort to reverse the trend of increasing speeds by irresponsible drivers."

Slow Down 2005 is the first statewide campaign to concentrate solely on speeding. Troop locations for the operation, including the days and times of the related news conferences, are as follows:

July 25-31 Troop F and Troop H (Newton and Charlotte area) Media Event July 25th, 1:00 p.m. Mecklenburg County District Office

August 8-14 Troop D and Troop E (Greensboro, Salisbury, and Winston Salem area) Media Event August 8th, 11:00 a.m. Guilford County District Office

August 15-21 Troop B and Troop C (Fayetteville and Raleigh area) Media Event August 15th, 11:00 a.m. Troop C Headquarters in Raleigh

September 12-18 Troop A (Greenville area) No Press Event- Contact Sergeant Brown 252-758-5300

October 3-9 Troop G (Asheville area) No Press Event- Contact Sergeant Staggs 828-298-4253

Troopers will be using helicopters, motorcycles, Camaros, and unmarked Patrol vehicles to target the deadliest roadways in each county. Troopers from surrounding counties will assist with this traffic enforcement operation.

Included in the crackdown will be commercial motor vehicle drivers who are speeding and who may be committing serious traffic violations. These include speeding over the posted speed limit, following too closely, improper or erratic lane change, careless & reckless driving, and any violation of the motor vehicle laws that result in serious injury or death.

Motorists may report dangerous driving to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP on their cellular phones.

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