As speeding-related deaths rise, a new campaign hopes to slow them down

With spring break travel in full force, North Carolina officials are cracking down on speeding drivers with the Speed a Little, Lose a Lot campaign.

The Governor's Highway Safety Program, which promotes safe driving through various initiatives, launched the campaign in response to an increase in speeding-related deaths.

According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, in the past five years, these deaths have increased by 17%. Last year alone, there were 424 speeding-related fatalities in the state. 

NC DOT statistics show that the majority of these incidents occur on non-interstate roads and that males make up three-fourths of the fatalities.

For the Speed a Little, Lose a Lot campaign, NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte was drafted to help get the word out. He says not only are professional high-speed drivers well-trained, but also points out that racecars are built differently than street vehicles, and drivers are equipped with safety gear not found in common automobiles.

Law enforcement officers will be stepping up their efforts through April 17.