Troopers cracking down on work-zone speeders

Troopers and transportation officials are kicking off Operation Drive Smart 2010, which aims to reduce the number of traffic crashes in road construction sites.

NCDOT reported 2,125 work zone crashes resulting in more than 1,200 injuries in 2009. Of those injuries, 11 were fatal. Speeding and driver distraction account for more than half of all work zone crashes, according to NCDOT.

“I have instructed our troopers to aggressively crack down on motorists traveling at high speeds and driving recklessly,” said State Highway Patrol Commander Colonel Randy Glover.

Operation Drive Smart will concentrate on speeding, aggressive driving and other traffic violations in the following work zones:

There are more than 200 major work zones in North Carolina. Troopers will be using motorcycles and marked and unmarked patrol vehicles to target some of the state’s busiest work zones.

Included in the crackdown will be commercial motor vehicle drivers committing serious traffic violations. These violations include driving over the posted speed limit, following too closely, improper or erratic lane changes and careless and reckless driving.

During Operation Drive Smart 2009, troopers issued more than 500 citations for speed violations in work zones across the state. In addition to work zone speed violations, troopers also cited six motorists for driving while impaired, 98 for seat belt violations and 17 for making unsafe movements.

Motorists may report dangerous driving to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP on their cell phones.