TO: News Directors, Editors
FROM: Sergeant Michael Baker
RE: State Highway Patrol Participates In N.C. Interstate Challenge Campaign During Thanksgiving Holiday
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol along with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program will be joining forces with local law enforcement agencies from across the state by participating in the N.C. Interstate Challenge Campaign. This campaign will focus special attention to all major interstate highways within the state during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The purpose of the campaign is to combat fatal collisions along targeted highways in hopes of obtaining a desired goal of zero deaths within the campaign’s allotted time frame.
Increased patrols will be used during this initiative by placing a trooper or local officer every 20 miles throughout each interstate corridor to include I-26, I-40, I-73, I-74, I-77, I-85, and I-95 during the most heavily traveled periods of the holiday weekend. The campaign will be conducted on Wednesday, November 25 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and again on Sunday, November 29 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
To run concurrent with the N.C. Interstate Challenge, the Highway Patrol will also be participating in a national campaign entitled the I-40 Challenge. Neighboring states to include Arizona, Arkansas, California, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas will be targeting several violations to include speeding, distracted driving, seat belt use, following too closely, and driving while impaired.
To announce this campaign, a press event will be held on Tuesday, November 24th at 11 a.m. at the Hillsboro Weigh Station located on I-85/I-40 south near mile marker 157 in Efland, N.C.
Officials from the State Highway Patrol, Governor’s Highway Safety Program and local law enforcement agencies will be on hand for this event.
Your attendance and coverage would be greatly appreciated.
For further information email Michael.D.Baker@ncdps.gov.