FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 16, 2001
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

DURING THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol division announces it is participating in Operation ABC Mobilization: America Buckles Up Children, a major national enforcement initiative, in response to the increased risks on the roads this Thanksgiving holiday. Throughout this enforcement effort, which starts Monday and continues through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, troopers will be aggressively enforcing all motor vehicle laws, including occupant restraint and DUI laws.

During the Operation ABC Mobilization, many local law enforcement agencies across the state will join the Highway Patrol in intensive enforcement of drunk driving, child passenger safety and seat belt laws. Throughout the week law enforcement officers will be out in full force, conducting public safety checkpoints and strictly enforcing all traffic laws. Drivers found driving above the legal blood alcohol limit will be arrested, and drivers failing to restrain themselves and their child passengers will be ticketed.

"The Thanksgiving holiday weekend has historically been one of the busiest travel times on our roads," said DPS Director Boykin Rose. "This year could be the busiest on record, though, as more Americans choose to drive rather than fly to their destinations."

According to the National Safety Council, the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the most dangerous holidays for motorists. Last year alone, more than 400 people were killed in traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving week. In South Carolina, 15 people died in traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving week.

"Our nation is doing everything it can to protect families from the unpredictable threat of terrorism," said Highway Patrol Col. Mike Kelley. "But we must continue to address the most predictable and leading risk our families face every day - traffic crashes."

The Mobilizations began in 1997 in an effort to decrease the staggering number of children who were being killed in crashes each year simply because they were unrestrained. The Mobilizations are a partnership of law enforcement, state highway safety offices, the Air Bag & Seat Belt Safety Campaign of the National Safety Council, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board. And for the second year in a row, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is joining the effort. The Mobilization is also part of Buckle Up America, an ongoing national initiative to increase belt use and save lives.

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JB/142/2001

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