Labor Day Holiday Safety Advisory

From the U.S. Coast Guard and N.C. Highway Patrol

August 31, 2007

COUNTY NC NEWS -- There are several advisories from the U.S. Coast Guard and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol that County NC News would like to share with the public this Labor Day holiday weekend. But first, we would like to take a moment to honor the holiday itself.

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The American people, is the vital force behind labor, which has added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known, bringing us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. So, it is appropriate that the nation pay tribute to the American worker on Labor Day the creator of so much of the nation's leadership, strength and freedom.

The U.S. Coast Guard will be focused on stopping boaters and their passengers to educate them about the danger's of Bow Riding, the unsafe practice of hanging ones feet over the bow of a boat while underway, which can be considered negligent and against the law. Therefore, Coast Guard stations throughout the state of North Carolina will be participating in Operation Bow Rider over Labor Day weekend.

Bow Riding is often done by young children while in the presence of their parents. Though it may seem completely harmless, one unexpected wave can cause the bow of a vessel to drop, dipping the Bow Rider's legs into the water and throwing them forward into the water and directly into the vessel's path. The results are almost certain to be catastrophic.

In addition, expressing two messages to the public yesterday on boating safety, the Fifth Coast Guard District's recreational boating specialist Dennis Sens said: "If we could communicate two messages for the Labor Day weekend. It would be to simply wear your lifejacket and be totally aware, at all times, of what's going on around you. It's usually what you don't see that you hit or hits you. On the water, it's paramount to be the prudent mariner."

The Labor Day holiday weekend always marks the end of a busy summer vacation travel season and heavy traffic is expected statewide this year. Speed is the leading cause of traffic deaths on the state's highways. Troopers will be cracking down on speeders and aggressive drivers during the holiday weekend. There will be an increased presence of Troopers on all interstates in North Carolina. Last year, there were 1,128 crashes, 654 injuries and 24 fatalities investigated by the Highway Patrol statewide during the holiday period.

Colonel W. Fletcher Clay, Commander of the State Highway Patrol has said, "I have instructed our troopers to aggressively enforce the speed laws. Don't try to cut a few minutes off your travel time by speeding or driving aggressively. It's just not worth it."

An aggressive driver has been identified as those drivers who flagrantly violate the motor vehicle laws, including but not limited to: excessive speeding, following too closely, erratic lane changes, safe movement violations, and other forms of reckless endangerment. Aggressive drivers account for the majority of the traffic collisions that occur on the state highways.

The Highway Patrol will also join other law enforcement agencies at "Click-It or Ticket" seatbelt checkpoints across the state throughout the week. Furthermore, troopers will be participating in the nationwide Combined Accident Reduction Effort (CARE), a coordinated effort of Highway Patrol and state police agencies. These high visibility patrols are designed to prevent crashes and ensure voluntary compliance with the motor vehicle laws.

Finally, County NC News wishes everyone a safe, fun-filled Labor Day holiday weekend. Please take your time in your travels on North Carolina highways, do not speed and wear your seatbelts. If you go boating, be sure to take all safety precautions, wear your life jacket, bring a first aid and survival kit, and don't forget your cell phone. Remember accidents happen. That's why they call them accidents!

Published by:
Rob Cross
mailto:editor@357news.com

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