At Fayetteville's Cross Creek Mall police are stepping up patrols. They're looking for lawbreakers and trying to keep frustrated motorists from losing their cool.
"It's very frustrating. It screws up your schedule, you can't get to where you want to go. People are blocking. It's just inconsiderate," one would-be shopper grumbled.
Fayetteville roads around Cross Creek Mall weren't meant to handle the Christmas crush of vehicles.
"I don't know what they're going to do if it gets any more traffic," one driver said.
The business explosion around the mall dumps thousands of additional cars on these streets almost every year.
"You just kind of have to hurry up and wait. Be patient. That's all you can do," counsels motorist Pamela Kozak.
Molly Potter describes the biggest problem.
"Most of the time they come through and the people that want to, try and get across to get to the next light, and they wind up stopping in the middle of the intersection."
"When you've got company," says Curtis Chatfield, "It's okay. But when you're just driving to get to a place and you have a time limit to get there. It gets really annoying."
Another driver, Consuela Robinson, cites the biggest traffic challenge. "Trying to get to the mall. That's the worst part. When the mall is getting ready to close. Everybody's trying to get there before it closes. So you have to leave early."
Fayetteville police say violators will not be tolerated. All motorists can do is be ready for long delays and hope for better planning in the future.
Police patrols in the area have been increased to seven days a week. Officers are on the streets from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
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