Troopers Use Trickery to Keep Roads Safe

Raleigh, N.C. — Last year, 767 people across the state were injured in wrecks on Memorial Day weekend, and 19 died.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is taking a new approach to keeping roads safe this Memorial Day weekend, and as of 4 a.m. Sunday, no fatal accidents had been reported in Wake and 13 surrounding counties.

Troopers say the plan this year is pretty simple. Since so many people are out on the roads – and troopers can't be everywhere at once – they'll make it look like they are. All it involves is a few extra patrol cars.

Drivers are seeing see patrol cars along highways all over the Triangle. In some cases, though, no one is in the car. It's a new tactic statewide to get drivers to slow down.

NCSHP Lt. Billy Clayton said the goal is for drivers to pay attention to their speed, put on their seat belts and take an extra moment to look at their surroundings.

“If we do that, that’s going to reduce collisions while we save lives and reduce injuries,” Clayton said.

This is the first time the highway patrol in the Triangle has had these drones, as they're called, out in this number. In the 14-county area, there are 31 cars parked along major roadways - 13 of them are in Wake County.

And while drivers realize pretty quickly that no one's in the car, their presence alone seems to be working.

But troopers warn, don't get too confident. They're working, too.

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Latest Comments

Retired trooper.....when you guys start investigating child molester, rapists, murderers, felons with guns, then you may join the ranks of REAL law enforcement. It is nice you went through six monthe of USMC boot camp to drive black and silver car. I have put many folks away in prison for murder, rapes, murder, drugs, guns and so on....and I even have run radar and investigated wrecks. I can do it all, where all you do is one simple thing...chapter 20....WOW! When you can do all that then come on back and lets talk.......

vaporlock1
May 27, 2007 6:38 p.m.

There's one of these cars at the end of my road - Hwy. 17 S. headed toward Morehead City. It has been sitting there since Friday afternoon with no one in it. When driving by to come home, we have noticed that many people not from the area have been slamming on the brakes when they see the car. So, I guess it is working in this area, anyway.

hersheyspots
May 27, 2007 4:13 p.m.

see , noone wants to give up thier right not to be able to speed when they want to . thats why noone wants to govern the cars to the road thier on . the tecnology is out there , northstar knows exactly where you are , all most all cell phones have gps . a simple sensor sytem can solve all speeding issues . but then noone MAKES money . we make no money off criminals , thats why we need speeders . to pay officers , to pay lawyers , to pay courts . such a simple solution to end speeding permantly but noone wants to give up thier freedom to speed when they want to .

Richie in Willow springs
May 27, 2007 3:43 p.m.

I know here in Wayne County, NCSHP are doing a fine job. You don't see them until he has got you. I live on a back road well off the 'Beaten Path', & just last night, NC's finest stopped one in front of my home. They can be any-where & every-where at any given time, day or night. My philosophy is " If you ain't doing nothing wrong, then you don't have any-thing to worry about" They are to be commended for the job they do.

wizard633
May 27, 2007 2:40 p.m.

Everyone acts like speeding is the only thing that causes accidents. An empty patrol car ison't going to stop a drunk driver and it isn't going to stop a distracted driver - someone talking on the phone, eating McDonald's french fries, while the kids are screaming in the back. Also, for those who say they never speed - how about using a turn signal once in a while? Or, staying out of the passing lane. Oh, and when you miss your exit, let's not swerve across two lanes of traffic so, heaven forbid, you don't have to go anothe exit and turn around. Stupid and/or distracted drivers are as much if not more to blame than speeders. Don't think an empty patrol car is going to fix any of that.