In Raleigh, North Carolina, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is strongly urging motorists to slow down. They insist that cooperation with the Patrol and careful, courteous driving will ensure that everyone has a safe holiday season and new year. Last year during the Christmas and New Year holiday week, 27 people were killed and 1,118 people were injured in traffic collisions. The leading cause of those collisions was speed.
State Troopers will be conducting many DWI checkpoints this holiday season. They will also be strictly enforcing the state’s DWI laws. The Patrol will be increasing the number of Troopers on the interstates and heavily trafficked areas. In addition, the Troopers will be especially looking out for motorists and drivers who are carelessly driving and accelerating at excessive speeds that could potentially cause dangerous accidents.
“Holiday travel can be very dangerous on our highways if people don’t obey the laws and use common sense when they travel,” said Colonel Walter J. Wilson, Jr., Patrol Commander. “Drinking and driving do not mix; make the right choice – don’t drink and drive.”
During the holiday season, the Patrol will also be participating in the state’s “Booze It and Lose It” anti-drunk driving campaign and the national Combined Accident Reduction Effort, (C.A.R.E). Sobriety checkpoints are being held throughout the state during the entire week.
This careful watch of the roads will begin on the official 2008 Christmas holiday period which begins Wednesday, December 24th, and ends midnight on Thursday, January 1st.
Of course motorists must be aware of many of the standard practices of the road. The State would also like to remind drivers and passengers to wear seat belts, slow down, and allow plenty of time to get to their destinations. Motorists with cellular phones can report safety hazards to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) toll free.
