Fewer cars on the road means fewer traffic stops for troopers, less cash for DOT

CHARLOTTE — With stay-at-home orders in place and fewer places to travel to, there are a lot fewer cars on the road these days.

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“When that order took place, I think fear took over and a lot of people didn’t want to go out of their houses,” said North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Ray Pierce.

State troopers also aren’t pulling as many people over.

Channel 9 uncovered new data that show traffic stops have dropped nearly 30% both statewide and in the Charlotte metro area, from February to March -- right before the governor’s stay-at-home order went into effect.

Those numbers usually total roughly 100,000 per month, statewide.

Fewer people on roads in Mecklenburg County improves air quality, trends show Fewer people on roads in Mecklenburg County improves air quality, trends show

Although troopers are prepared for traffic stops while equipped with protective gear, including masks, Pierce said the agency didn’t stop drivers for minor offenses like expired tags or for not wearing a seat belt.

But he said he is seeing a disturbing trend of people taking advantage of the open roads.

“We were seeing a big spike in high speeds. 120, 130 miles per hour. Very high speeds that you typically don’t see on a normal basis,” Pierce told Channel 9.

The Highway Patrol said it’s following orders to reinstate stricter enforcement on the highways in the coming weeks.

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Another ripple effect of fewer drivers being on the roads could be fewer road fines and fees -- and the North Carolina Department of Transportation is already taking action.

In a new audit just released, the NCDOT’s cash reserve is depleted, leaving funds well below the required $293 million minimum by law. That means the department can’t enter new contracts to spend money on transportation projects unless the work was already underway.

The NCDOT also laid off nearly half its temporary employees, suspended many of its programs and enacted a hiring freeze. The department is funded through fuel taxes and DMV fees.

Gov. Roy Cooper signed a bill into law Monday that allocates $300 million in federal money to the NCDOT. However, because Congress hasn’t approved the use of coronavirus relief funds to make up for lost tax revenue, that money is not available to NCDOT.

Reckless drivers take to roads as traffic decreases, troopers say Reckless drivers take to roads as traffic decreases, troopers say

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