Troopers: Lower Gas Prices Contribute To Speeding

Monday morning, Charlotte gas prices averaged $2.11 a gallon for unleaded. That's down 16 cents from a week ago and down $1.12 from last month. Eyewitness News crews even found gas as low as $1.94 in Charlotte, marking the first day gas prices had fallen below $2 in Charlotte in several months.

But while drivers were excited about the price drop, it concerned state troopers. They started their two-week "Operation Slowdown" campaign Monday. They said drivers are more likely to violate the speed limit when they pay less for gas. One trooper even told Eyewitness News he'd stopped two drivers in the past week for driving faster than 90 mph. Another trooper stopped a driver who'd been driving 116 mph.

Troopers urged drivers to stay within the speed limit. "Operation Slowdown" ends December 1.