North Carolina police are cracking down on speeding this week in an effort to prevent accidents during what is statistically the deadliest month for motorists in the state.
Between 2017 and 2021, the state averaged 148 traffic fatalities in October. November was the second deadliest month of the year. In 2021, almost a third of all traffic fatalities nationwide were attributed to speeding.
In a press release, officials from the N.C. Department of Transportation said seasonal activities like football games and fall foliage draw more drivers to the roadways, leading to more dangerous conditions.
Officials say motorists should expect more law enforcement and speed display signs on roadways. The campaign, known as Operation Crash Reduction, is part of a larger National Highway Traffic Safety Administration effort in several states including Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky – areas that are all prone to fatal crashes during the early fall.
The campaign will run through Sunday, October 15.