The state Highway Patrol and local law enforcement has begun its annual Fourth of July traffic enforcement.

“There will be checkpoints and saturation patrols across the state,” Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department said Friday. “The Fourth of July holiday is one of the busiest travel periods during the summer. Law enforcement will be aggressively enforcing DWI and safety laws so buckle up and don't drink and drive.”

Jackson said last year more than 1,200 drivers were charged with DWI across the state.

In a press release from its website, the state Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the July 4th holiday. Motorists who slow down and travel at posted speeds will not only increase their chances of arriving at their destination safely they will also conserve fuel.

There will be an increased presence of troopers on the interstates and major four lane highways.

Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state. Troopers will be cracking down on speeders during the holiday and will be using LIDAR and other speed timing devices to assist them in enforcing the speed laws.

Troopers will increase patrols on all interstates and major four lane highways during the holiday. Last year in North Carolina, 18 people died and 471 were injured over the July 4th holiday period.

Troopers will target aggressive drivers who tend to cause the most crashes. The 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.

“I have instructed our troopers to crackdown on traffic violators on our highways and to apply strict enforcement to those motorists who are traveling at dangerous speeds or in a careless manner,” said Colonel Michael Gilchrist, Highway Patrol commander. “Speed is the number one factor in fatal collisions and our troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, drunk drivers, and other violators while patrolling throughout the state during the holiday week.”

Reuben Young, secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said, “We are committed to doing our part to reduce traffic collisions throughout our state. Motorists should do their part by obeying all traffic laws while traveling to their holiday destination.”

Citizens may report crashes, drunk drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on their cellular telephones. This is a toll free call that connects the caller with the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.