Operation Drive Smart Kicks Off This Week

 

The N.C. State Highway Patrol along with the N.C. Department of Transportation will kickoff Operation Drive Smart 2008 this week. Drive Smart is an effort to reduce the number of traffic collisions in North Carolina's work zones. The Highway Patrol will set up enforcement and crackdown on excessive speeders in some of the busiest work zones in the state.

“Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions in work zones,” said State Highway Patrol Commander Colonel W. Fletcher Clay. “I have instructed our Troopers to aggressively crack down on motorists traveling at high speeds and driving recklessly.”

According to NCDOT, there were 3,478 work zone crashes resulting in nearly 2,000 injuries in 2006. Of these crashes, 18 were fatal. More than four out of five work zone crash fatalities are motorists. Speeding and driver distraction account for more than half of all work zone crashes.

“NCDOT works hard to keep both our work crews and motorists safe along North Carolina's roadways,” said Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett. “This effort will help us continue to build awareness in work zones and emphasize the need for drivers to slow down and use caution.”

 “The Highway Patrol is determined to reduce fatal collisions in these work zones, and going after speeders who recklessly endanger the public will help us do that,” said Crime Control and Public Safety Secretary Bryan Beatty. “Operation Drive Smart 2008 is an effort to reverse the trend of increasing speeds in work zones by irresponsible drivers.”

Operation Drive Smart 2008 is a campaign that will concentrate solely on speeding, aggressive driving and other traffic violations in work zones. Work zone locations for the operation are as follows:

· Troop A - U.S. 17 Bypass in Bertie County

· Troop B - I-95 in Cumberland County - I-40 in Sampson County

· Troop C - Clayton Bypass in Johnston and Wake counties

· Troop D - I-85/I-40 in Guilford County - I-85/I-40 in Alamance County

· Troop E - I-77 in Yadkin County - I-40 in Davie County

· Troop G - I-40 in Buncombe County

Currently, there are more than 200 major work zones in North Carolina. Although all work zone locations for Operation Drive Smart 2008 are on interstate routes, work zones are not limited to interstate facilities.

 “Many of our work zones are along U.S. and N.C. routes, as well as on secondary roads and bridges,” said NCDOT's State Highway Administrator Bill Rosser. “Motorists will notice increased construction activity along these roadways during the spring and summer months, and we urge them to slow down and drive safely through work zones across the state.”

 Troopers will be using motorcycles and marked and unmarked Patrol vehicles to target some of the state's busiest work zones. Included in the crackdown will be commercial motor vehicle drivers committing serious traffic violations.

These violations include driving over the posted speed limit, following too closely, improper or erratic lane changes, and careless and reckless driving.

During Operation Drive Smart 2007, troopers issued more than 358 citations for speed violations in work zones across the state. In addition, troopers also issued 188 motor carrier violations and 61 seat belt violations.

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