Gov. Perdue Announces Operation Drive to Live 2009

 

Governor Bev Perdue has proclaimed February 23-27 as Teen Safe Driving week and today announced that the N.C. Highway Patrol is kicking off Operation Drive to Live 2009 to reduce teenage traffic fatalities and collisions.

 “The Highway Patrol is determined to reduce teenage fatal collisions in North Carolina by enforcing all traffic laws around the state's high schools and conducting traffic safety education programs,” said Perdue. “Speeding and reckless driving are the leading causes of traffic deaths involving teenagers in our state. Operation Drive to Live 2009 will help in our efforts to reverse that trend.”

During the past four years 554 teenagers were killed in crashes investigated by the Highway Patrol. Many collisions involving teenage drivers occur during their commute to and from high school. Speed is the leading cause of teenage traffic deaths.

During Operation Drive to Live 2009, troopers will be enforcing all traffic laws around the state's schools and conducting traffic safety education programs at the high schools. Troopers will be looking for violations such as, speeding, following too closely, careless and reckless driving and any violation of the motor vehicle laws that can result in serious injury or death.

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

For more information about Operation Drive to Live 2009, visit the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety's website at www.nccrimecontrol.org/shp.