Contact: Lt. Everett Clendenin
Date: August 7, 2006
Phone: (919) 733-5027 x233

State Troopers are Turning up the Heat on Drunk Drivers

 

RALEIGH – The N.C. Highway Patrol will conduct Operation Summer Heat a 7-day long DWI crackdown in the state's counties with the highest number of alcohol related collisions during the week of August 7th – August 13th.

The goal of Summer Heat is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities by increasing DWI patrols in areas that have a demonstrated history of alcohol related collisions or arrests. The Patrol will conduct checkpoints in several of the identified counties.

The Highway Patrol reviewed traffic collisions involving alcohol investigated by troopers in each county from June – September 2005. The ten counties with the highest alcohol related collisions were: (1) Buncombe County-71 collisions, (2) Johnston County-67 collisions, three fatalities, (3) Wake County-63 collisions, three fatalities, (4) Guilford County-56 collisions, one fatality, (5) Onslow County-53 collisions, (6) Iredell County- 53 collisions, two fatalities, (7) Robeson County- 53 collisions, one fatality, (8) New Hanover County- 52 collisions, (9) Forsyth County- 49 collisions, one fatality, and (10) Brunswick County- 48 collisions, two fatalities.

“I have instructed our Troopers to turn up the heat on impaired drivers statewide and specifically in the identified counties with highest incidents of alcohol related collisions,” said Colonel W. Fletcher Clay, Highway Patrol Commander. “Our Troopers will be aggressively looking for impaired drivers and other violators in these counties and throughout the state during this operation. Our goal is to reduce alcohol related traffic fatalities.”

A press event was held today in Wake County kicking-off the week long initiative. Bryan Beatty, Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said, “We are committed to doing our part to reduce alcohol related traffic fatalities in these counties and throughout our state. Motorists should do their part by obeying all traffic laws and never drive after drinking alcohol.”

Troopers will continue to periodically conduct operations in these counties after the initial week. Last year during the summer months in North Carolina, 47 people died in 2,028 alcohol related collisions.

Citizens may report crashes, drunk drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on their cellular telephones. This is a toll free call that connects the caller with the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.