FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     November 22, 2005

cary police offer tips to HELP KEEP HOLIDAY SPIRITS HIGH

Cary NC – Having one of the largest concentrations of retail shopping in the state can lead to holiday traffic headaches, which is why the Town of Cary Police Department is encouraging motorists to be mindful of the following safety tips:  

 ·         Don’t block intersections.   Blocking intersections causes frustrating and unsafe back-ups; that’s why it’s against the Cary law.  When the traffic signal turns yellow, avoid trying to beat the upcoming red light and pulling into and blocking busy intersections.  Instead, drop back and wait for the next green light.  When traffic lights are green, make sure there is adequate room for you to completely cross the intersection.  

 ·         Don’t run red lights.  Running a red light can have deadly consequences.  As a result, Cary has 17 red-light cameras designed to deter red-light offenders. Red-light citations carry a $50 fine with an additional $50 penalty if the fine is not paid within a specified period.  Violators who run a red light and are cited by a police officer can face a maximum penalty of $135 as well as insurance points.

 ·         Contact Cary Police in case of any accidents.  If the accident is minor, motorists should move their vehicles out of the travel lane and into a parking lot or onto the shoulder and call Cary Police at (919) 469-4012.  For accidents involving injuries, motorists should call 911.

 ·         Watch for pedestrians.  Maintain a safe speed limit in parking lots and be on the lookout for shoppers exiting vehicles and walking to stores.

 ·         At stop signs, come to a complete stop behind the white stop lines and not in the crosswalk.  Especially when turning right on red, remember that a full stop behind the stop bar is necessary to give you time to look both ways before proceeding.  Look not only for cars but also for pedestrians and cyclists.

 ·         Always use a turn signal to prevent accidents.   A turn signal alerts motorists of your intended action and helps prevent rear-end crashes, which is why it’s the law.

 ·         Plan for traffic delays due to construction, especially in the U.S. 1/64 corridor. 

 ·         Be patient.  There will be a record numbers of motorists and pedestrians, so a little holiday cheer will go a long way for safety.

 Motorists can expect strict enforcement of these and other traffic laws as the Town of Cary Police Department works around the clock to make sure everyone has a safe and happy holiday travel season.

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