FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     November 21, 2007

cary police offer SAFETY tips to KEEP the seasons bright

Cary , NC – Having one of the largest concentrations of retail shopping in the state can lead to holiday headaches, which is why the Town of Cary Police Department is encouraging citizens to add extra patience to their holiday lists and be mindful of the following safety tips this holiday season:  

• Supervise children at all times.  Crowds in shopping areas are expected to be much larger during the next few weeks so supervise small children very closely.  Also, teach your children to go to a store clerk or security guard if they get separated from you in a shopping mall. 

• Avoid becoming a victim of crime.  Stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings at all time and park in well-lit spaces.  Always lock your car, roll up the windows and hide packages in the trunk or under a blanket.  Also, have your car keys in hand before heading to the parking lot.

• Take a holiday inventory.   The holidays are a good time to take photos or videos of items in your home.  If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file.

• Don’t block intersections.   Blocking intersections causes frustrating and unsafe back-ups; that’s why it’s against the 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 $120 as well as insurance points.

• 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.

• 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.

As always, the Town of Cary Police Department will be working around the clock to make sure everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.

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