Raleigh, N.C. — State troopers issued 26,845 speeding tickets in the past two weeks as part of Operation Slow Down.
The crackdown targeted speeders on North Carolina's interstates. Troopers patrolling Interstate 40 in Johnston County, for example, nabbed drivers going up to 105 mph in a 65-mph zone and 118 mph in a 70-mph zone.
Speed is the leading cause of wrecks on interstates, according to the state Highway Patrol, and 359 people have died in such wrecks over the past four years.
Troopers normally issue about 5,000 speeding tickets a week statewide, officials said.



![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/out_and_about/2012/02/04/10712136/pics_agunn53833-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717011/10717011-1328936455-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717059/10717059-1328939591-100x75.jpg)
![[SLIDESHOW]](http://wwwcache.highschoolot.com/asset/content/2012/02/11/10717043/10717043-1328939633-100x75.jpg)





WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
February 24, 2009 8:13 p.m.
That's the funny part leo-nc - I wasn't busted!!
I was driving 45 in a 55 (legal last time I checked) as was pulled because some half-brained trooper thought I was "DUI" (yes DUI not DWI) at 7:20 AM!!!
LOL!! Busted?! Kid you have a lot of learning to do. I can tell you aren't from around these parts!
February 24, 2009 8:02 p.m.
February 24, 2009 7:45 p.m.
Well, that's just not true. Do some reading. Speed limits are put in place for and by insurance companies. If somebody is speeding, they don't pay for an accident. If somebody gets a speeding ticket, they raise their rates. It's a win/win for insurance companies when it comes to speed limits, yet every study shows no significant correlation between speed and accident frequency or severity.
February 24, 2009 7:45 p.m.
February 24, 2009 6:32 p.m.