Local

Highway Patrol starts patrols before DNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
Mecklenburg County's Highway Troopers started patrols Friday aimed at protecting roads during the holiday weekend and the Democratic National Convention.

"We're expecting the traffic to be drastically increased from a normal weekend," said 1st Sgt. Kelly Sturgill.

With 75,000 people coming to town for the convention, troopers will be busy watching traffic all across Charlotte. They're also concerned about drunken drivers.

"Aggressive driving while impaired are the typical charges we expect to see magnified to a much larger scale," she said.

The Highway Patrol is prepared. They've recruited troopers from all over the state to help during the DNC.

Friday night bars in Uptown started preparing for the DNC celebrations.

The owners of a designated driver service said they expected a 50 percent boost in business during the weekend.

"We have reservations already set," said Renee Moore.

AAA also predicted record travel this Labor Day weekend.