Teen driver deaths drop 40 percent in N.C.

By July 26, 2009, the Highway Patrol had investigated the deaths of 47 teen drivers statewide. So far this year, the patrol has investigated the deaths of 28 teen drivers.

“Despite this significant decrease, our job is far from over,” Col. Randy Glover, commander of the Highway Patrol, said in a statement. “We will continue to look at various ways in which we can build upon this recent reduction. Our goal is to prevent a single teen from losing (his or her) life on the highways.”

The patrol worked with high schools during the spring to present Operation Drive to Live to educate student drivers about traffic safety. Officials said troopers would continue to monitor teen drivers as school starts in the coming weeks, to educate them about the dangers of irresponsible driving.