As North Carolinians hit the roads for summer adventures, state officials are stepping up to remind the public about safe driving practices during peak vacation season, especially with North Carolina's torrid summer temperatures in mind. At a Benson rest stop along Interstate 40, the Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) teamed up with the N.C. Department of Insurance to put a spotlight on the importance of summer travel safety and the risks associated with heat inside vehicles—a concern as pressing as the mercury's climb.
GHSP Director Mark Ezzell, alongside N.C. Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey and Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell, spoke about the collective duty residents have to keep summers safe, "The summer months between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend are a popular time for folks to enjoy our beautiful state, but it is also a time of increased travel, hot weather and a change in routine” Ezzel explained and stressed the importance of not leaving children or pets in parked cars—not even for a blink, and maintaining vigilance on the roadways in their shared address, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation press release.
The dire warning about the hazards of vehicular heatstroke were asserted by Commissioner Causey and Sheriff Bizzell, who reminded North Carolinians and guests to the state of the simple, yet life-saving measures to undertake. These include never leaving a child, vulnerable adult, or pet in a sweltering car and always checking the back seat before walking away from a vehicle. In addition, the officials advised planning of travel routes ahead of time to accommodate for unforeseen delays designating a sober driver if alcohol is on the day’s menu, buckling up in every seat, avoiding the temptation of cell phones and other distractions while driving, and being mindful of more pedestrians and cyclists during the sunny season.
All these efforts are part of a broader initiative to decrease the number of heat-related incidents and accidents on the road, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding the wellbeing of all who bask in the Carolina sun or traverse its highways, a motive that finds its urgency not only in the need to protect the vulnerable but also in the desire to foster a culture of prevention and care amongst travellers. As reported by the N.C. Department of Transportation, these public awareness campaigns seek to secure safer roads throughout the summer holiday period and beyond, embedding a year-round commitment to safety in every North Carolinian's journey, where a quick check or a simple choice behind the wheel could make all the difference.
