Highway Patrol cutting back on gas

Gas prices are also forcing state troopers to cut back.

First sergeant J.O. Holmes says troopers have been asked to be more conscientious about their driving.

They will try to avoid idling, accelerating quickly, and braking hard.

There is a possibility some special programs will also be cut.

Even with the gas-saving initiatives, Holmes says troopers will still aggressively enforce laws, but he says money budgeted for cars and equipment may have to start paying for gas.

“We hope they’re able to find money in other places before it evolves into something where we may have to actually park and sit and wait for calls. I don’t foresee that happening, we’ve never had to do it before, but we’ve never seen gas prices this high, either,” said Holmes.

Highway Patrol has 34 cars on the road in New Hanover and Brunswick counties, and close to 2,000 across the state.