The Highway Patrol will be conducting Operation Slow Down statewide beginning Monday November 13th through Sunday November 26th (Thanksgiving weekend).

Troopers will be cracking down on speeders on the interstates and major four lane highways. Last year the Highway Patrol kicked-off Operation Slow Down as an initiative that addresses speeding on our highways.

During Operation Slow Down 2005 Troopers issued more than 16,000 traffic citations, the majority for speeding. More importantly, traffic fatalities investigated by the Patrol dropped 6.6 percent and speed related collisions dropped 17 percent. Speed is the leading cause of traffic fatalities and collisions in the state and the Highway Patrol receives numerous citizen complaints concerning motorists traveling at dangerous speeds on the highways.

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

Editors: A kick-off press event will be held on Monday, November 13, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at Troop C Headquarters, 1831 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. Bryan Beatty, Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and Colonel Fletcher Clay, Commander of the Highway Patrol, will speak at the event.

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