Law enforcement increasing patrols to crack down on speeders
RALEIGH – The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is reminding drivers that speeding has life-threatening consequences.
Now through April 20, law enforcement officers throughout the state will conduct speed patrols and checkpoints to catch speeders.
The “Speed A Little. Lose A Lot.” initiative is one of many annual GHSP campaigns to curb reckless driving. The campaign emphasizes that even a small increase in speed significantly increases the risk of severe or fatal crashes.
“We refuse to accept the needless tragedies caused by speeding,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “This campaign sends a powerful message: drivers who choose to speed will face the consequences. We are determined to make our roads safer for every North Carolinian.”
In 2024, speeding was categorized as the fourth leading factor in crash fatalities in North Carolina. A preliminary report from the N.C. Department of Transportation states that 373 people died due to speed-related crashes.
Driving at high speeds is dangerous and decreases the driver’s ability to control the vehicle. In ideal weather conditions, a vehicle traveling 55 miles per hour will require more than 200 feet to stop completely, according to the N.C. Driver Handbook.
“Speed limits are set to keep all roadway users safe,” said Colonel Freddy Johnson Jr., commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. “Maintaining the speed limit not only reduces the severity of a crash, but it will ultimately minimize the likelihood of being involved in a crash in the first place. When the operator of a vehicle drives above the speed limit, they are putting their lives, their passengers’ lives and the lives of those they are sharing the roadway within harm’s way. Drivers have a choice to obey the speed limit, but it’s a choice that can have very big consequences if they don’t follow the law.”
The need to set up on 70 bypass between Clayton and 40. They better bring an extra ticket book. I know people are going 80+ mph in that stretch. And weaving in and out of traffic at that speed is going to get someone hurt or killed.
Its so hard to resist getting up to 100mph or so then letting off prior to entering the first curve then upon entry clipping the apex while pinning the throttle. Ive seen people do it faster than me but 110-115mph through there is pretty fun. Its not the people speeding that’s the problem, its the people that cant drive worth a crap or drivers not being aware of their surroundings, if people actually used their mirrors and were more attentive there would be less accidents, the people driving “crazy or wild” know what they’re doing and most of them are pretty good at it.
Take it to the track. You are irresponsible for driving or riding like that on public roads.
Not really…the problem is drivers being dumb about it. Driving faster than prudent for road conditions, weaving in/out of traffic, and gatekeepers going slower than the flow of traffic are the real problems. There are a lot less accidents on the Autobahn and the speeds are often much higher…120 mph was my normal cruising speed.
No Brian you are a sh*t driver. That’s the end of story
Yep, then you have aholes trying to regulate others by driving in the left lane.
I think it’s stupid they keep lowering speed limits on country roads so they can write you a ticket and if it’s because people are whining about going to fast the City dweller need to move back to the city
Folks need to stop driving in the left – dangerous – mostly pick-ups and beem’ers but there are plenty of others
That 20 yr full pension isnt going to fund itself
Yeah, what about the off duty cops. I know one whom along with his wife regularly drive reckless and at very high speeds then just show the bage when they are pulled over.
That is BULL! If a LEO treats an off-duty officer differently than the rest of the public, then he will lose his job and certification, and I don’t know of any LEO that is willing to take that chance.
EVERY study shows that these targeted campaigns DO NOT work. But hey, gotta keep the sheep happy!
But you haven’t cited ONE study.
What a joke!! Another excuse to suck MORE $ out of the common folk just trying to get to/from work. If the “Leo’s”🙄 really cared about public safety(like they claim these bs campaigns are for) they would pull/ticket people that drive in the left lane instead of using it for PASSING then getting back over. Have yet to see or hear of anyone getting ticketed for that. Or jack**ses that pull right out in front of you instead of waiting 3 seconds for you to go by then safely pulling out. Those are the threats to public safety on the roadway not me going 5-15mph over the posted speed limit.
I always drive in the right lane because I tend to be a slower driver. But I do go the speed. limit…I have people passing me all the time to the point that within a few seconds I no longer see them. If I am going the speed limit and you are passing me then you are speeding. You are breaking the law.. there is no need to go 80 in a 60 or 60 in a 45. If you are I that big of a hurry leave earlier
32 years behind the wheel of an 18wheeler…..I’ve been the witness to this more dumba**ery than most could dream of. It all comes down to self importance idiots who think they’re more important than everyone else on the planet… not just the highway.. The way people treat each other anymore… No respect…….Idiots!!!!
I think flying cars are way overdue. There are too many cars and trucks on the roads anyway. If ya want to drive fast , go topside. If ya want to drive the speed limit and not put others in harms way then stay below. Don’t blame the state trooper or the courts for your speeding violations if ya get caught. It’s getting bad on the roads. I drove race cars for 37 yrs and still feel safer on a race track than I do in public traffic.
Do the speed limit it’s the law. Then there’s no tickets. But there will still be wrecks because there are still idiots that can’t drive.
Attention to detail. Before cracking down on speeders, crack down on vehicles impeding traffic causing others to weave and speed around them. Pull and ticket drivers in the passing lane not passing, impeding traffic. Next in line, drivers who follow too closely. You will notice a much more efficient, safer, smooth, faster moving highway system. Now, worry about speeders.
The bottom line here is the highway system in the state is capable of safely facilitating speeds 25-30 mph over the posted speed limit. People are not mature enough (utter stupidity) to utilize it. They rather play football and NASCAR on the road.
Guess what buddy, you ain’t got no pit crew.
Tell that to the cops who go flying by me at 85 MPH. I have to go the speed limit because of my company truck and I’m constantly being passed by cops and I’m already doing 7mph over the limit ( I can’t go more than 9 over)
How about put the phone down and drive. That’s the reason for alot of reckless driving now days. Do something about that instead of picking on speeders.