Drive to Save Lives begins Saturday
By John Joyce
Published in News on December 24, 2015 1:46 PM
The North Carolina Highway Patrol, along with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, are teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation for the annual Drive to Save Lives traffic safety campaign that runs Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.
The campaign aims to save lives by cracking down on unsafe motorists along the Interstate 95 corridor, according to a highway patrol press release issued Wednesday.
As many as 16 state highway patrol and state police agencies will participate, the release said.
"We are very proud to initiate this combined campaign with our fellow states in an effort to reduce highway fatalities, N.C. Highway Patrol Commander Col. Bill Grey said.
"It is beneficial that all state agencies work together in order to guarantee safe travel on our nation's roadways."
Troopers will focus on violations such as driving while impaired, speeding, following too closely and seat belt use.
In North Carolina, over the 2014 Christmas holiday alone, four motorists were killed on state roadways. Twenty-seven were killed between Christmas and New Year's Day.
And to date this year, 5,038 alcohol related collisions have been investigated by the Highway Patrol. In that same period, troopers made 21,554 DWI arrests.
The highway patrol is hoping to cut down on the number of intoxicated motorists this holiday season.
"Our goal is to ensure every motorist arrives safely to their destination," Grey said.
For those planning to partake in holiday festivities that will include alcohol, the highway patrol offers these safety tips to avoid driving while drunk:
* Be responsible
* Plan ahead
* Designate a sober driver
* Call a cab, family member or friend if you have had too much to drink.
* Spend the night where you are, if possible.
The highway patrol is also asking for help this year with monitoring the state's highways. Anyone who suspects another motorist of driving while intoxicated is asked to dial *HP or *47 on their mobile device or smartphone. Callers should give a description of the vehicle, their location, the direction of travel of the suspect vehicle and the license number if at all possible, the press release said.
Also, slow down and move over whenever passing a law enforcement or highway safety vehicle with its lights flashing, and heed the lights and sirens of all emergency vehicles.
"As always, our troopers will remain vigilant to detecting and removing impaired drivers from North Carolina's highways," Grey said.