The N.C. Department of Transportation kicked off this week with a moving tribute and safety campaigns, announcing the dedication of the Assistant Chief Lenneau D. Hammond Bridge. The bridge, a vital passageway over the Lumber River on N.C. 904, now carries the legacy of a Fair Bluff police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty back in 1976, his story etched into the community's memory as friends, family, and officials gathered at Fair Bluff Baptist Church to honor the late Assistant Chief, as reported by NCDOT.
The week also marked the launch of the annual Booze It & Lose It campaign by the Governor's Highway Safety Program—an initiative reinforced by increased patrols across all 100 counties through the end of October, and while the operation sets its sights on reducing impaired driving, it also casts a wider net, hoping to curb the associated dangers and legal repercussions that follow when the decision to drive is clouded by alcohol, the state fair serving as the backdrop for this year's kickoff.
Furthermore, with the approach of Halloween, NCDOT did not miss a beat reminding adults and children of the importance of safety during these festive times. The straightforward advice includes making one's presence known with flashlights or glow sticks, using crosswalks or intersections for street crossing, sticking to well-lit areas, and opting for sidewalks or facing traffic when none are available, a slate of suggestions aiming to ensure the festivities are marred by neither accident nor injury.
