From Staff Reports State highway authorities will heighten enforcement starting today in some of the busiest work zones in the state. The initiative, dubbed Operation Drive Smart, is a collaboration of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and the Department of Transportation to crack down on speeding and increase work-zone safety and awareness. The Highway Patrol will kick off the operation today with a press conference in Johnston County on N.C. 42 at the intersection of the new U.S. 70 bypass between Clayton and I-40, one of the state's busiest work zones. Troopers on motorcycles and in marked and unmarked vehicles will follow up this week by targeting drivers committing serious traffic violations such as speeding, tailgating, improper lane changing and other forms of careless and reckless driving. According to the Transportation Department, there were 4,478 work-zone crashes resulting in more than 1,500 injuries in 2005. Of these, 30 were fatal. More than four out of five of those killed in work-zone crashes are motorists. Speeding and driver distraction account for more than half. "The Highway Patrol is determined to reduce fatal collisions in these work zones, and going after speeders who recklessly endanger the public will help us do that," said Bryan Beatty, secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. "Operation Drive Smart 2007 is an effort to reverse the trend of increasing speeds in work zones by irresponsible drivers." There are currently more than 200 major work zones in North Carolina . The campaign will focus on the following sites: -- U.S. 17 Bypass in Bertie County -- I-95 in Cumberland and Robeson counties -- US 70 Clayton Bypass in Johnston and Wake counties -- I-85/I-40 in Guilford County -- I-85 in Rowan County -- I-77 in Yadkin County -- I-40 in Buncombe County -- I-77 in Mecklenburg County During Operation Drive Smart 2006, troopers issued more than 800 citations for speed violation in work zones across the state. Troopers also cited 58 motorists for aggressive driving, 13 for driving while impaired and 171 for seat belt violations. Motorists may report dangerous driving to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP on their cellular phones.
Well you might as well tell them a dude in a big truck is tailgating the slow butts in the left lane. He will also be yelling, cursing, and giving the one finger salute. Ohh. He also has on board 16 video cams with a 360 degree view in color and on board mics. He also has infrared for night and 0 lux conditions. See you on the road.
Just this week I've noticed a significant increase in the amount of cops on 40, the beltline, and back country roads! Was in Lillington headed towards Angier, got into Angier at the second light downtown the car in front of me was turning left so me and about 5 others just waited ... the lady could finally turn left, I mash the gas to go (speed limit 20) and out of nowhere a red truck came hauling *** up behind me (and the 5 other cars) on my right side nearly taking off my mirror (2 lane road only), low and behold an Angier cop was at the light to the right and got him! YEAH!!!!! 5 miles down the road HP had 2 cars pulled over. This is on 210 btw, ya'll better slow down coming through there!
How many brain surgeons do you see every day riding up the road with one hand with a drink of sort and cell stuck to the ear. I love to see people on the phone with their windows down. They seems to get aggravated when I lay on the horn when they don't pay attention to traffic.
I also hate it when I am using the restroom and the idiot in the next stall is on a cell phone. I love testing the acoustics of the facilities when that happens, but at least in the restroom somebody will not die from the cell phone use, well except for death from laughter! :mrgreen:
lol, yeah they were all over 40. i was hesitant breaking 75 even. although they weren't doing a very good job at dealing with road rage. i guess it was speed only? i had this 'yota climbing up my *** and when i moved over there was a cop right behind him that really should have been able to tell there was almost no following distance compared to the 75 we were running.
There were two people racing on the beltline at lunch. Must have known all the copy were in construction zones :-(
