NC Highway Patrol Promises to Step Up Enforcement near High Schools
April 11, 2011 - The NC Highway Patrol launched Operation Drive to Live today in a news conference at Millbrook Magnet High School where they promised increased enforcement and education to slow young drivers and reduce the number of young drivers killed in auto accidents. NC Highway Patrol Commander Michael Gilchrist launches Operation Drive to Live at Millbrook Magnet High. |
Listen to this report with NC Highway Patrol Commander Gilchrist on Operation Drive to Live 6 minute mp3 file |
Rueben Young, Secretary of NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said Operation Drive to Live will combat an increase in teen-aged collisions and deaths across the state of NC.
“Unfortunately, we have experienced a tragic series of teen motor vehicle deaths across the state. Our focus is to educate and enforce the need for teen-age drivers to drive responsibly when getting behind the wheel of any vehicle,” said Young. “As parents, we have a responsibility to stress to our teen-aged drivers that safety is first. I ask that you take the time to sit down with your teen and explain to them the dangers and consequences of risk taking behavior. I ask that you please partner with us because I believe that together we can make a difference.”
One out of four 16-year-old drivers in NC is involved in a car crash every year. Nearly half of these crashes are serious enough to result in injury or death according to the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. Sixteen-year-olds are three times more likely to die in a crash than others are. Sixty-one percent of all young driver fatalities were not wearing their seat belts.
“Studies have shown that the combination of inexperience and natural impulsiveness of the adolescent years contribute to the increased risk of being involved in a fatal crash,” said Young.
Superintendent Tata warns against texting
Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata spoke at the news conference expressing concerns about texting and driving.
“I particularly want to send out a message that students should not text and drive,” said Tata. “Do not distract yourself while you are driving. Do not ruin what it is that you have been working so hard to achieve throughout your elementary, middle and now high school years. As you are driving to your prom or as you are driving on a weekend, please stay focused on the road.”
NC Highway Patrol Commander Mike Gilchrist agreed with Tata that distracted driving is becoming more and more prominent, especially texting while driving.
“A report by a National Safety Council found cell phone use leads to about 1.6 million crashes per year,” said Colonel Gilchrist. “About 200,000 those of those are attributed to texting while driving.”
In 2011, 117 teen-agers were killed in traffic related collisions investigated by the NC Highway Patrol. Many of those collisions were during the drive to and from school.
“I can tell you my fellow troopers and I are committed to doing all that we can to reduce the number of teen-aged fatalities,” said Gilchrist. “During the next week, troopers across the state will focus their efforts around the high schools to slow the students down as they travel to and from school. Through education and enforcement, we can put a stop to this deadly trend. Remember to do the right thing. Always obey the traffic laws. And please drive to live.”
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