The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is launching its statewide “Speed a Little. Lose a Lot” campaign to remind drivers that speeding comes with serious, and often deadly, consequences.
March 30 through April 5, law enforcement officers throughout the state will increase patrols and checkpoints to identify and catch speeders.
“Speeding is not just a bad habit — it’s a dangerous choice that puts everyone on the road at risk,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “This campaign reminds drivers that even going a few miles over the speed limit can have devastating consequences.”
According to data from the N.C. Department of Transportation, 335 people were killed in speed-involved crashes in 2025. Preliminary data shows 41 people have already lost their lives in speed-involved crashes in just the first two months of this year.
Driving at high speeds significantly reduces a driver’s ability to maintain control of a vehicle and increases stopping distance. In ideal weather conditions, a vehicle traveling 55 miles per hour will require more than 200 feet to stop completely, according to the N.C. Driver Handbook.
“Speed limits exist for a reason — they protect everyone on our roads,” said Col. Freddy Johnson Jr., commander of the N.C. State Highway Patrol. “When drivers stay within those limits, they give themselves more time to react and help prevent crashes before they happen. Speeding takes that margin for error away and puts everyone on the road at risk. Every time a driver gets behind the wheel, they make a choice, and choosing to follow the law can make all the difference.”
GHSP’s ongoing “Don’t Play With Death” marketing campaign reinforces this message, using a Grim Reaper character (who will appear at the press event) to deliver a powerful visual reminder that speeding can have fatal consequences.
