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Troopers out in full force for Memorial Day weekend

Hitting the highways for the holiday weekend? State troopers want to put out a message: Watch your speed.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Hitting the highways for the holiday weekend? State troopers want to put out a message: Watch your speed.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is increasing its patrols on all interstates and major four-lane highways for the Memorial Day weekend as more vehicles take to the road and the chances for wrecks increase.

Speed is the No. 1 cause of fatal traffic crashes, authorities said.

Last Memorial Day weekend, nine people died and more than 500 were injured on North Carolina roadways.

"People tend to be a bit more hurried to get to their destinations," said Patrol First Sgt. Cameron Taylor. "They may not focus on their driving as they need to be in order to get to the beach or lake or wherever they're going."

Troopers cited 81 motorists for speeding Friday from speed traps along Interstates 40 and 540 in Raleigh.

Troopers will join local law enforcement for drunken driving and seatbelt checkpoints across the state, and they will also be looking for reckless drivers and enforcing litter laws.

"We are out here. We are going to enforce the laws and take the appropriate enforcement measures – especially during this travel period," Taylor said.

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