State Troopers Remind Motorists the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend is the Deadliest

 

RALEIGH-The Highway Patrol will be targeting speeders and aggressive drivers on North Carolina interstates and major four lane highways through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Operation Slow Down began Monday, November 13th and will end on Sunday, November 26th. Last year 23 motorists were killed on North Carolina highways during the holiday.

 “I have instructed our Troopers to crackdown on speeders this holiday weekend; speed is the leading cause of fatal collisions on our highways,” said Colonel W. Fletcher Clay, Commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Getting to your destination safely should be your number one goal. Don't try to cut off a few minutes of your drive time by speeding or driving aggressively. It's just not worth it.”

Speed and aggressive drivers are the leading cause of traffic deaths in our state. 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.

During the Thanksgiving holiday, the Patrol will also be participating in the state's Booze It and Lose It anti-drunk driving campaign and the national Combined Accident Reduction Effort, (Operation C.A.R.E). Sobriety checkpoints are being held throughout the state during the entire week.

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22nd and ends at midnight, Sunday, November 26th.

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.