Highway Patrol launches Easter speed crackdown
By Lee Williams
Published in News on April 4, 2007 1:45 PM
Wayne County drivers -- slow down.
Troopers will be out in force over the Easter holiday weekend looking for speeders, aggressive drivers and other violators during the Operation Slow Down highway traffic enforcement campaign.
"The Highway Patrol will increase patrols on the interstates and other heavily traveled corridors targeting speeders and aggressive drivers," said Lt. Everett Clendenin, highway patrol spokesman. "Aggressive drivers have been identified as those 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."
The campaign kicked off Monday and will end Sunday, Clendenin said. The patrol's goal is to prevent the number of fatalities usually logged on state roads during holiday seasons.
Last year, 13 people died and 653 were injured in 1,000 collisions during the Easter holiday period. The 2007 Easter weekend period begins 6 p.m. Thursday and ends midnight Sunday.
"Whether you're headed to the beach, visiting friends or going to church, please drive with care," said Col. W. Fletcher Clay, Highway Patrol commander. "Our troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, drunk drivers, drivers not wearing their seat belts and other violators throughout the state while patrolling this Easter holiday week."
Troopers will also be participating in the nationwide Combined Accident Reduction Effort. "C.A.R.E." is a coordinated effort where highway patrols and other state police agencies increase their visibility along selected routes during holiday periods to prevent crashes."