The North Carolina Highway Patrol began Operation Slow Down Monday.
That means troopers will be using both marked and unmarked cars to catch violators on interstates and major four-lane highways.
The operation continues through next Sunday.
Authorities say that speed is the biggest cause of wrecks and fatalities both in the state and across the nation.
“Our number one priority is to ensure the safety of the motoring public,” said Bill Grey, commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol. “The Highway Patrol is determined to reduce fatal collisions in North Carolina by targeting speeders who recklessly endanger our citizens,”
During Operation Slow Down 2013, troopers issued more than 19,581 citations for numerous traffic violations to include 8,634 speed-related charges.
Operation Slow Down 2014 enforcement efforts will be conducted across the state. The campaign will focus on motorists exceeding the posted speed limit on interstates and major four-lane highways. Troopers will be using marked and unmarked patrol vehicles to target the most dangerous roadways in each county.
They will also be looking for speeding commercial motor vehicle drivers who may be committing serious traffic violations. These violations include following too closely, improper or erratic lane change, careless and reckless driving and any violation of the motor vehicle laws that can result in serious injury or death.
Motorists may report dangerous driving to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP on their cellular phones from anywhere in the state.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.