Highway Patrol Asking Motorists to Slow Down This Weekend

 

RALEIGH – The Labor Day holiday weekend marks the end of a busy summer vacation travel season and heavy traffic is expected statewide this year. Speed is the leading cause of traffic deaths on the state's highways. Troopers will be cracking down on speeders and aggressive drivers during the holiday weekend. There will be an increased presence of Troopers on all interstates in North Carolina.

Last year, there were 1,071 crashes, 565 injuries and 13 fatalities investigated by the Highway Patrol statewide during the holiday period.

“I have instructed our troopers to aggressively enforce the speed laws,” said Colonel W. Fletcher Clay, Commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Don't try to cut a few minutes off your travel time by speeding or driving aggressively. It's just not worth it.”

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 the majority of the traffic collisions that occur on the state roadways.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration traffic highway deaths increased last year, however in North Carolina traffic deaths decreased. Collisions investigated by the Highway Patrol were down 3.5 percent the first six months of this year from 59,556 to 57,428. However traffic fatalities investigated by the Highway Patrol have increased 4 percent from 750 to 781. The Highway Patrol will continue to conduct safety campaigns to address the issue.

The Highway Patrol will also join other law enforcement agencies at “Click-It or Ticket” seatbelt checkpoints across the state throughout the week, and troopers will be participating in the nationwide Combined Accident Reduction Effort. “C.A.R.E.” is a coordinated effort of Highway Patrol and state police agencies. These high visibility patrols are designed to prevent crashes and ensure voluntary compliance with the motor vehicle laws.

The Labor Day holiday weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1st and ends at midnight, Monday, September 4th.

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.