For Release: Immediate  Date: December 21, 2000

Sgt. Everett Clendenin Phone:(919) 733-5027

RALEIGH - The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is urging thousands of motorists who will be travelling North Carolina's roadways this holiday season to work with the patrol to ensure everyone has a safe holiday season.

"The winter holidays can be very dangerous on our highways if people don't obey the laws and use common sense when they travel," said Colonel Richard W. Holden, Patrol Commander. "We take impaired driving very seriously and urge everyone to make the right choice - don't drink and drive."

Last year during the Christmas and New Year holiday weekends, 17 people were killed and 1,122 injured on North Carolina's highways. The 2001 Christmas holiday period begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 21st, and ends at midnight on Tuesday, December 25th. The New Year holiday period begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 28th, and ends at midnight on Tuesday, January 1, 2002.

"Everyone on the highways has a responsibility to make this a safe holiday season," said Bryan E. Beatty, secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, which oversees the Patrol. "The idea is to spread joy and good tidings, not death and injury by being overly consumed with the wrong holiday spirit."

Drivers and passengers are also reminded to wear seat belts, slow down, and allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Motorists with cellular phones can report safety hazards to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) toll free.

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Sgt. Everett Clendenin Public Information Officer State Highway Patrol