The Highway Patrol along with the Wildlife Resources Commission are again combining efforts to save lives this summer.
Whether on the road or on the water, law enforcement officers across the state will be on the lookout for impaired drivers by conducting DWI checkpoints near recreational boating areas as well as public service announcements that educate motorists on the dangers of drinking and driving.
Operation On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink & Drive is a multi-agency initiative that is designed to combine law enforcement resources to ensure that all motorists can safely travel on highway and waterways during the summer months. The Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the upcoming summer months.
Last year, the Highway Patrol investigated 14 fatal collisions and 561 injury collisions during the July 4 holiday period.
This included three fatal collisions and 64 injury collisions due to impaired driving.
On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink & Drive initially kicked off during the Memorial Day holiday weekend and was extremely successful.
The initiative is focused on three key summer travel holiday weekends; Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
Troopers along with Wildlife Resource officers will be conducting various driving while impaired checkpoints near parks and water recreational areas.
“With summer now upon us, we realize that more people will be traveling on the highways and waterways. Unfortunately, some operators will choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence,” said Col. Bill Grey, Highway Patrol Commander. “Whether you’re operating a vehicle or boat, impaired driving can have the same deadly consequences.”
The operation will begin on Friday and conclude at midnight on Sunday.
The next and final phase of the operation is scheduled for Labor Day weekend.
Meanwhile, the American Automobile Association estimates that 34.8 million people will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Independence Day holiday period.
The Highway Patrol is advising motorists to be careful as they enjoy the July 4t holiday.
Motorists who slow down and travel at posted speeds will not only increase their chances of arriving at their destination safely but will also conserve fuel.
Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state. Troopers will be cracking down on speeders during the holiday and will be using speed timing devices to assist them in enforcing the speed laws. There will be an increased presence of troopers on the interstates, major four lane highways and rural paved roads across North Carolina.
Troopers will target aggressive drivers who tend to cause the most crashes. The aggressive driver has been identified as those drivers who flagrantly violate the motor vehicle laws, including but not limited to: excessive speeding, following too closely, erratic lane changes, safe movement violations, texting while driving and other forms of reckless endangerment.
Citizens may report crashes, drunk drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on their cellular telephones. This is a toll free call that connects the caller with the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.
The Halifax County Sheriff's Office offers the following tips:
Driving
• Always shift your attention every few seconds, constantly scanning the road ahead and behind you. Never blankly stare ahead nor fix your gaze on one point on the road.
• When passing an automobile, always glance at the ground beside the front wheel of the car you intend to pass. You will know instantly if the car is about to veer - giving you an extra few seconds to respond. • You should pull out into the opposite lane of traffic when passing while you are still well behind the car in front.
This should give you some time and space to build up speed and will enable you to pull back into your own lane should the need arise. Never cut abruptly out of your lane into the opposite lane when passing.
• Always signal your intentions with your brake lights, turn signals, horn and/or headlights so that other drivers will see you well before you change course.
•Drivers should always “aim high” in steering. That is, you should glance frequently at points well ahead of you. Not only will this help your steering, but it will also help you check the position of vehicles in front of you as well as on-coming ones.
• Never follow too closely.
Fireworks
Citizens should remember that fireworks, as enjoyable as they are to watch, can be dangerous and should only be handled by professionals.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, there are nearly 9,000 emergency room-treated injuries associated with fireworks a year.
The sheriff's office offers the following tips:
•Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
•Keep a supply of water close-by as a precaution.
•Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
• Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight a dud.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
• Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
• Stay at least 500 feet away from professional fireworks displays.
• Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
Swimming pools
• If no lifeguard is on duty, do not let children swim unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult who knows lifesaving techniques and first aid.
• Post CPR instructions and directions to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
• Look around the pool area to be certain lifesaving devices are readily available for emergency use.
• Be sure covers are installed on all drains of a swimming pool or in a wading pool. The suction created by the pool’s circulating pumps can be very dangerous unless it is reduced by covers.
• Take frequent breaks about once an hour where everyone gets out of the water, drinks water, reapplies sunscreen — SPF 15 or higher — and rests.
• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.
• To reduce the risk of eye, ear, nose or throat infection from contaminated water, swim only in pools in which water quality is properly maintained. The water should appear crystal clear, be continuously circulated and be maintained at a level that allows free overflow into the gutter or skimmer. There should not be a strong odor of ammonia or chlorine.
Lakes
• Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard present, and swim with others. Never swim alone.
• Watch out for the "dangerous too's" — too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Look for water that is reasonably clear and free of floating materials and odors. Avoid swimming at lakes where there are large populations of ducks, geese or gulls. The waste produced by these birds causes high bacteria levels in the water.
• Look for movement in the water; it helps keep the water clean. Do not swim in stagnant or still water. • Do not swim at any lake right after a heavy rain. Runoff following a heavy rain may result in a high bacteria level.
• When diving at a lake, exercise extreme caution. Lake water is not as clear as water in a pool, so underwater obstructions may not be visible.
• Avoid having lake water in your mouth or nose.
