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Dont rush into 2010
Speed law begins Friday
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Forsyth County News
Authorities are warning the public to be safe and slow down this New Year’s weekend.

The 78-hour travel period begins at 6 tonight and ends at midnight Sunday. Something else to consider — the state’s so-called “super speeder” law takes effect Friday.

“We’ll be out in force making sure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve,” said Forsyth County Sheriff’s Capt. Frank Huggins.
“There won’t be any tolerance for people who are drinking and driving.

“Motorists who have been drinking should consider using one of the taxi cab services provided by whatever drinking establishment or restaurant they’re going to.”

Arthur Atkinson, owner of Paddy’s Taxi, said New Year’s Eve is the company’s second busiest day of the year, trailing only St. Patrick’s Day.

He advises revelers to plan ahead.

“Taxi services are on demand and the only way to ensure that you have a taxi is to hire one out for the night so it’s your taxi,” he said. “Other than that, you’ll have to call a taxi company and have them give you an estimated time of arrival.”

Huggins said the sheriff’s office is also prepared to enforce the new “super speeder” law.

Beginning New Year’s Day, those who are cited for going faster than 85 mph on any major road or 75 mph on rural, two-lane roads, must pay an additional fine of $200.

“It’s designed to make the roads safer and slow people down,” Huggins said.

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has predicted 16 fatal wrecks will occur statewide over the long holiday weekend. It also estimates there will be 2,330 wrecks with 1,004 injuries.

The 102-hour period last year resulted in 2,998 crashes with 22 deaths and 1,222 injuries statewide.

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