For Release: Immediate  Date: May 25, 2000

F/Sgt. Jeff Winstead Phone:(919) 733-5027 (ext. 238)

RALEIGH - The N.C. Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the Memorial Day weekend. The holiday officially kicks off the summer vacation season in North Carolina. This means more people will be on our highways, increasing the chance of traffic crashes.

The Patrol will be enforcing traffic laws on some of the state's most dangerous highways during the busy holiday weekend. Working with the Department of Transportation, the Patrol has identified the 25 highway corridors in North Carolina counties that had the most crashes on them during the official Memorial Day holiday periods for the past five years. The Highway Patrol has targeted those roads for selective enforcement during the official holiday period.

"Our research shows that these highway corridors can very dangerous during the long Memorial Day holiday weekend," said Bryan E. Beatty, secretary of the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, of which the Highway Patrol is a division. "We are working hard to use our available manpower as efficiently as possible, but we need the public to help by obeying traffic laws."

The 25 highway corridors with the most crashes over the Memorial Day holiday period for the past five years are in the following counties: Guilford (2), Mecklenburg (3), Wake (4), Durham (2), Union, Onslow, Carteret, Johnston, New Hanover, Wilkes, Robeson, Iredell, Gaston, Craven, Cabarrus, Brunswick, Burke, and Cumberland. From 1996 to 2000 during the Memorial Day holiday period, there were 713 crashes, 501 injuries, and six fatalities on these roads. (A listing of these roads, and the numbers of crashes, injuries, and fatalities is attached to this news release.)

The Memorial Day holiday, which is set aside to honor deceased men and women from the Armed Forces, is expected to be a busy one on North Carolina highways. The holiday weekend officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2001, and ends at midnight, Monday, May 28, 2001. Statewide last year, there were 1,498 crashes, 1,172 injuries, and 16 fatalities during the holiday period.

The Highway Patrol will join other law enforcement agencies at "Click-It or Ticket" seatbelt checkpoints across the state throughout the week, and troopers will be participating in the nationwide Combined Accident Reduction Effort. "C.A.R.E." is a coordinated effort by highway patrol and state police agencies to increase their visibility along selected routes during holiday periods to prevent crashes.

"We've put a lot of effort into this safety campaign, but it's because we care and we want to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend," said Colonel Richard W. Holden, Highway Patrol commander. "Please fasten your seatbelt and take the time to be sure your children are properly buckled in. Seatbelts and child safety seats are your best protection against speeding and drinking drivers."

Citizens may report crashes, impaired 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 to the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.

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F/Sgt. Jeff Winstead Public Information Officer State Highway Patrol