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Troopers to target aggressive drivers during Easter weekend
During the Easter holiday week, March 21-28, the N.C. Highway Patrol will conduct a week long Aggressive Driver Crackdown on the state’s highways. The Highway Patrol will increase patrols on the interstates and other heavily traveled corridors targeting the aggressive driver. 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.
Troopers also will be focusing their efforts on motorists who fail to obey the Move Over law that requires motorists to reduce their speed and move over into the lane that is not the lane nearest to an emergency vehicle that is parked or standing and giving a warning signal by appropriate light. If it is not feasible or safe to move into the farthest lane, the motorists is required to slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe spped for traffic conditions, and operate the vehicle at a reduced speed until completely passing the emergency vehicle.
This offense is an infraction and carries a penalty of $25 along with $100 in court costs for a total of a $125 fine.
A press event was held March 21 in Raleigh kicking-off the week long initiative.
“It is so important for citizens to obey these laws and drive safely, not only for their own safety, but also to ensure that our law enforcement families don’t lose another loved one,” said Bryan Beatty, secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety.
Since 2001 two troopers have been struck and killed by tractor trailers as they had violators stopped on the side of I-40 in Western North Carolina. Both tractor trailers failed to move over, Beatty said. During the past three years, 69 troopers have been struck by motorists on the state’s highways, he said.
The Department of Transportation is partnering with the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety in promoting the Move Over law. NCDOT has committed $150,000 for signs notifying motorists of the law.
“We are committed to doing our part to make the highways safe,” said Kevin Lacy, DOT traffic safety engineer. “Whether you’re headed to the beach, visiting friends, or going to church, please drive with care,” said Colonel Fletcher Clay, Highway Patrol Commander. “Our troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, drunk drivers, drivers not wearing their seatbelts, and other violators throughout the state while patrolling this Easter holiday week.”
Last year in North Carolina, 27 people died and 1,535 were injured in 2,576 collisions during the Easter holiday period. The statewide campaign began Monday and will continue through Monday, March 28.
The Patrol will also be participating in the nationwide Combined Accident Reduction Effort. “C.A.R.E.” is a coordinated effort in which highway patrol and state police agencies increase their visibility along selected routes during holiday periods to prevent crashes.
Citizens may report crashes, drunk 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 with the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.
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