VANCE COUNTY, N.C. — State Highway Patrol troopers in Vance County were out on Interstate 85 Tuesday catching speeding motorists, as well as those violating other driving laws, and sending a clear message: Slow down or pay for it.

"We are looking for aggressive driving, following too close, erratic lane change, speed limit violations," said trooper Larry McKeithan.

The Henderson Police Department and Vance County Sheriff's Office also assisted with the I-85 crackdown, stopping motorists for drugs, as well as those in violation of the state's move-over law.

"A lot of law enforcement are getting hurt and injured by people not moving over to the next lane," McKeithan said.

Speed is the main cause of fatal accidents on North Carolina interstates. Over the past 10 years, nearly one-third of all fatal accidents along I-85 were caused by speeding. Nearly 50 percent of accidents on the road are caused by speeding.

The Highway Patrol will be out ticketing speeders in Vance and Warren Counties through Friday.