Highway Patrol Encouraging Motorists to
Slow Down During the July 4th Holiday
Slowing Down will Save Lives and Improve Fuel Economy

July 5, 2008

The N.C. Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the July 4th holiday. Motorists who slow down and travel at posted speeds will not only increase their chances of arriving at their destination safely they will also conserve fuel. Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state. There will be an increased presence of Troopers on the interstates and major four lane highways.

State Troopers will be cracking down on speeders during the holiday and will be using LIDAR and other speed timing devices to assist them in enforcing the speed laws. Additionally Troopers will increase patrols on all interstates and major four lane highways during the holiday.

Last year in North Carolina, five people died and 246 were injured during the July 4th holiday period. The 2008 July 4th holiday begins at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 3rd and ends at midnight, Sunday, July 6th.

Troopers will target aggressive drivers who tend to cause the most crashes. 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.

"I have instructed our troopers to crackdown on traffic violators on our interstates and to apply strict enforcement to those motorists who are traveling at dangerous speeds or in a careless manner," said Colonel Walter J. Wilson Jr., Highway Patrol Commander. "Our Troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, drunk drivers, and other violators while patrolling throughout the state during the holiday week."

Bryan Beatty, Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said, "We are committed to doing our part to reduce traffic collisions throughout our state. Motorists should do their part by obeying all traffic laws while traveling to their holiday destination."

Troopers will be participating in the nationwide "Operation C.A.R.E." (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). "Operation C.A.R.E." is a coordinated education and enforcement effort involving all Highway Patrol and State Police agencies across the nation.