Motorists reminded to be careful during July 4th holiday

RALEIGH — The N.C. Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the July 4th holiday. Motorists who slow down and travel at posted speeds will not only increase their chances of arriving at their destination safely they will also conserve fuel.

There will be an increased presence of troopers on the interstates and major four lane highways.

Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state.

State troopers will be cracking down on speeders during the holiday and will be using LIDAR and other speed-timing devices to assist them in enforcing the speed laws. Additionally, troopers will increase patrols on all interstates and major four lane highways during the holiday.

Last year in North Carolina, eight people died and 634 were injured over the July 4th holiday period. The 2009 July 4th holiday begins at 6 p.m. Thursday and ends at midnight Sunday.

Troopers will target aggressive drivers who tend to cause the most crashes. Aggressive drivers have been identified as those drivers 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.

"I have instructed our troopers to crack down on traffic violators on our interstates and to apply strict enforcement to those motorists who are traveling at dangerous speeds or in a careless manner," said Col. Walter J. Wilson Jr., Highway Patrol commander.

"Our troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, drunk drivers and other violators while patrolling throughout the state during the holiday week."

Reuben Young, Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said, "We are committed to doing our part to reduce traffic collisions throughout our state. Motorists should do their part by obeying all traffic laws while traveling to their holiday destination."