NC SHP Launches Enforcement Campaign Targeting Teen Drivers

NORTH CAROLINA — As spring break gets underway, North Carolina State Highway Patrol launched a new enforcement campaign this week near school zones aimed at reducing teen driver collisions.

As part of the "Operation Drive to Live" campaign, which is organized in conjunction with the national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, State Highway Patrol is stepping up its enforcement efforts in and near school zones through Friday, April 9, from 6 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily, SHP said.

The need for the enforcement campaign targeting young drivers is rooted in grim statistics, according to SHP. Last year, there were more than 26,360 vehicle collisions in North Carolina involving young drivers and passengers, SHP said. Of those crashes, more than 8,000 resulted in injuries and 120 in deaths.

"Immaturity and inexperience are primary factors contributing to fatal crashes by young drivers, especially during the first six months of driving," SHP said.

SHP partnered with Page High School to produce a public service announcement about the dangers of making poor decisions while driving. That video may be viewed here.

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