NCHP targets unsafe drivers
By John Joyce
Published in News on April 26, 2015 1:50 AM
The N.C. Highway Patrol launched its annual prom season safe driving campaign Monday.
Operation: Drive to Live is the yearly crackdown on speeding, seat belt violations and drunken driving.
In 2014, 48,711 motor vehicle collisions involving teens ages 15 to 19 years old were investigated statewide, according to a NCHP press release.
Of those collisions, 113 were fatal. More than 9,000 of the wrecks resulted in injury.
Ten percent of all distracted driving crashes involve drivers under the age of 20.
"The Highway Patrol remains committed to saving the lives of our teenage drivers," NCHP Commander Col. Bill Grey said in a prepared statement.
Grey said the Drive to Live mission will be accomplished through both education and enforcement.
First Sgt. Jerry Burton, supervisor of Troop C in Wayne County, said his troopers will be concentrating their efforts around schools and in school zones.
"In working the schools, we want to be seen. We want to put the idea in people's heads that schools are safer than what they think they are," he said.
The troopers will be less visible while patrolling school zones -- the traffic areas around the schools.
"In working the school zones, we don't necessarily want to be seen. We will be concentrating on aggressive driving, speeding in school zones, passing stopped school buses," Burton said.
Prom season increases the need for adult drivers to have a heightened awareness of their surroundings. Burton explained that teenage drivers who are less experienced behind the wheel will be out in droves.
"Prom season is a time when we really have to think about what is going on around us. Be cognizant of drunk drivers. Be cognizant of the fact that kids are going to be out later at night," Burton said.
The Highway Patrol is asking for the community to help out, too. Anyone who sees an impaired or aggressive driver, who happens upon an accident or who sees anything they think law enforcement should be alerted to is asked to call 911 or dial *HP on their mobile phone.
Burton said the overall goal is to increase safety for everyone this time of year, specifically the youths.
"We need the help of the people," he said.