Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell says it was important to him and his officers that families traveling over the Easter holiday arrived at their destinations safely.
On Monday, the Johnston County Sheriff announced the results of a two day enforcement campaign on US 70 in Johnston County that had not previously been made public.
On Thursday and Friday, the 8-member Sheriff’s Aggressive Field Enforcement (SAFE) team conducted increased patrols on US 70 from the NC Department of Corrections near Selma to the Wayne County line in Princeton.
During the traffic safety operation, 186 drivers were cited, including 82 motorists who were ticketed for speeding 70 mph or higher in a 55 mph zone. The highest speeder was cited for traveling 86 in a 55 mph zone. An additional 69 drivers were given warning tickets for speeding as high as 69 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Eight people were cited for misdemeanor drug offenses, 7 for driving on a revoked license, 4 for driving without a license, 1 for reckless driving, 1 for driving while impaired, 10 for registration or insurance violations, and 2 for not wearing a seat belt.
“The special assignment was to ensure the motoring public traveling through Johnston County to the beach with their families could do so safely,” Sheriff Bizzell told WTSB News on Monday.
Bizzell said prior to the enforcement campaign he had received numerous complaints and concerns about drivers speeding on US 70 through Johnston County.
The Sheriff said no deputies were pulled off their routine patrols for the enforcement. Only the specialized SAFE Team officers were used.
