CARY POLICE to conduct OPERATION PATIENT payoff ON n.c. 55 IN cARY TO CRACKDOWN ON AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

CARY , NC – In its continuing effort to maintain safe driving conditions, the Town of Cary Police Department will kickoff the fifth round of its quarterly aggressive driving campaign, entitled “Operation Patient Payoff”, on N.C. Highway 55 near Catlin Road on Wednesday, March 26, from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.   As part of the campaign, Cary Police are reminding motorists to allow a distance of at least three seconds between their vehicle and the one in front of them; police will monitor motorists along the corridor to detect speeding, tailgating and lane change violations.

During the campaign, motorists may see uniformed officers in their assigned Police vehicles as well as unmarked Police cars and motorcycles along the section of N.C. 55.  Officers’ vehicles will be equipped with Radar and LIDAR (laser detection technologies) to identify aggressive drivers.

“Because N.C. 55 has been the site of at least three fatal crashes near Catlin Road during the last year, as well as many other property damage crashes involving cars that are following to closely, we chose this corridor to help remind motorists of the need to drive at a safe speed and following distance,” said Lt. Mark Parker. 

This round marks the second time that police have monitored N.C. 55.  In September 2007, Police monitored N.C. 55 as part of the ongoing campaign and issued more than 29 citations for speeding and other offenses. During the first two Operation Patient Payoff campaigns in March and June 2007, police monitored U.S. 1 from Walnut St. to Cary Parkway and issued more than 136 citations for speeding and other offenses.  During the most recent round in December 2007, Police issued 22 citations for speeding along U.S. 1 near Walnut Street .

To further help decrease the number of aggressive drivers, the Town has a “Road Watch” hotline for motorists to report aggressive driving at (919) 319-4521.  If numerous complaints are received for one particular area, the Police Department responds by increasing visibility on the street through patrols as well as radar trailers and speed sentries that display speeds to oncoming drivers.  For complaints on individual drivers not witnessed by the Police, courtesy letters are sent reminding drivers of the need to slow down.

The campaign comes on the heels of a grant award from the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program.  In the fall of 2006, the Cary Police Department received a grant award that funded two traffic safety team officers, along with two fully equipped vehicles, including radars.

Additional campaigns are planned for later in 2008.  Because this effort is as much about awareness as enforcement, the corridors will be announced at the start of each campaign.

###