Law Enforcement Officers Continue 100 Days of Summer HEAT Focus on Independence Day Weekend

ATLANTA, June 29 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Southeast Region today announced its efforts to decrease impaired driving and speeding during the July 4th Holiday period. At a press conference led by NHTSA Administrator Dr. Jeffrey Runge, the agency outlined its efforts, which are part of the "100 Days of Summer HEAT" traffic enforcement campaign.

"Every year, the July 4th Holiday period is one of the deadliest times to be on the roadways," said Dr. Runge. "We've convened law enforcement leadership from the eight NHTSA Southeast Region states to show a unified, unprecedented commitment to cracking down on all motorists who break the law by speeding or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The '100 days of Summer HEAT' traffic enforcement campaign is an effort to bridge our national safety belt and impaired driving campaigns."

Most recent data for the July 4th Holiday period shows 164 traffic-related deaths across the Southeast. Out of those fatalities, 64 people were killed because of speed-related crashes and 88 people were killed because of alcohol- related crashes.

The "100 Days of Summer HEAT" campaign orchestrates the unprecedented coordination of interagency law enforcement focusing on speed and alcohol- related fatalities on all roadways. "People are driving faster on our interstates, with peak speeds occurring during the summer months," said Colonel Chris Knight of the Florida Highway Patrol.

While interstates are known for high speeds, they aren't the only roadways with rising speeds and frequent fatalities. In fact, vehicular deaths on rural roads account for about 72.5 percent of all fatalities in the Southeast region. "We're making a concerted effort to reduce speeds and impaired driving on rural highways and secondary roadways," said Chief Larry Murdock, President of the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police.

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Divisions are adding its forces to the campaign. "This is the first time we've participated in an enforcement push like this," said Colonel Mark McLeod of the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicle Safety. "Many commercial vehicle crashes result from unsafe speeds. We want to curb those speeds so the roads are safe for all motorists."

Strict crackdowns have proven to be the most effective way to keep the region's roads safe. "NHTSA's Southeast Region is leading by example; we developed this campaign, in cooperation with various agencies, to crack down on people who refuse to obey the law. Our ultimate goal is to save lives," said Dr. Runge. "We want people to think twice before they exceed the speed limit, drink and drive, or fail to buckle up. This should be an enjoyable holiday for everyone."

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