Richmond County Daily Journal
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says the number of teen driver fatalities is down 40 percent from last year.
On July 26, 2009 the Highway Patrol had investigated 47 teen driver fatalities. During the same period this year the number was 28.
“Despite this significant decrease, our job is far from over,” said Col. Randy Glover, commander of the Highway Patrol. “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 their life on the highways.”
Operation Drive to Live was conducted in the months of May and June near high schools throughout North Carolina. Troopers enforced all traffic laws and conducted traffic safety education programs across the state.
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, 56 percent of fatal crashes occur on rural roads and speed remains to be the leading cause of those deaths.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol has an educational program that will inform the teens as well as parents so that these numbers can continue to drop.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s Driving to Live Highway Safety Education Program was developed to combat the problem of teenage involvement in alcohol and other drug related collisions. According to 2003 Department of Transportation statistics, a driver age 19 or less was involved in a motor vehicle crash every 23.6 minutes.
Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com
Post a Comment
