Statistics are now in for Operation Drive to Live 2010, a statewide effort conducted by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol recently to remind teenage drivers about safe driving.

The operation was conducted from June 7 through June 11 to coincide with the last week of school. Sgt. Scott Smith with Surry County Highway Patrol said, “It was a fairly good success.”

The troopers patrolled five high schools in Surry and Yadkin counties, issuing 18 traffic citations. Ten were seat belt citations, four were for speeding, two license violations, and two other traffic offenses.

“If we can change one or two attitudes, hopefully it will make a difference,” Smith remarked.

Statewide, troopers patrolled 1146 schools and conducted 164 traffic safety information programs. Troopers issued citations for 10,258 traffic and criminal violations during the operation. Of those violations, 1,874 were for failed or improper use of a seatbelt.

Smith said many teenagers don’t realize how important a responsibility driving is. He said, “Teenagers take on one of the most important responsibilities of someone’s life at age 16.”

The number of traffic violations among teens rises a bit in the summer, according to Smith. He said, “They’re out of school and parents may not require them to be home as much. They’re out driving more, so it’s a little higher.”

One big problem Smith noted a few weeks ago is texting while driving, but he said teenagers aren’t the only ones who do this.

Smith expects Operation Drive to Live to continue on in future years. Operation Drive to Live began last year and is an effort by North Carolina Highway Patrol to “reduce the number of teenage related traffic collisions and deaths.”

According to the state highway patrol office, traffic collisions are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the state and nation. Over the past four years, 682 teenager have been killed in crashes in North Carolina that the highway patrol has investigated. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration reports that 56 percent of fatal crashes occur on rural roads, with speed remaining the leading cause of those deaths.

The state highway patrol Web site, which is linked to www.nccrimecontrol.org, offers tips for teenage drivers and their parents.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.