Highway Patrol to increase its Thanksgiving presence on Interstate 40 this year over 2016
By From staff reports
Published in News on November 21, 2017 5:50 AM
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will have an increased presence on I-40 this Thanksgiving holiday. So will troopers in Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.
The law enforcement agency said in a press release troopers will be stationed every 20 miles on I-40 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
This operation is happening in conjunction with seven other states to push for zero fatalities during the Thanksgiving travel times.
During "Vision Zero" -- the name of the operation -- North Carolina experienced no fatalities on I-40 in 2016.
AAA estimates 50.9 million Americans will drive 50 or more miles away from home this holiday season, with 89 percent of those travelers going by car.
"As we approach this busy travel time across our state, we encourage everyone to think of the importance of traffic safety," said Colonel Glenn M. McNeill Jr., commander of the N.C. State Highway Patrol. "The goal of our agency is to ensure everyone spends this Thanksgiving enjoying time with friends and family, while we work together to avoid the consequences of being involved in a serious vehicle collision."
Drivers are encouraged to:
* Plan ahead.
* Check for traffic updates prior to beginning a trip by visiting www.drivenc.gov.
* Limit distractions.
* Make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seat belt.
* Obey the speed limit.
* Take advantage of safe ways to get home after consuming alcohol.