WPD cracks down on traffic violations

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Thinking of running that red light or cutting through a median? Beware. The Wilmington Police Department is making sure drivers are being safe. Today officers cracked down during on traffic violations at Carolina Beach Road and Shipyard Blvd. during Operation Red Light.

Police chose the intersection on the way to State Port, because they say the area is notorious for traffic violations. We saw it for ourselves when we tagged along with officers.

With hundreds of cars passing through this busy intersection, you can bet there are many drivers behind the wheel who do not follow every rule of the road.

“In the past we’ve had several major traffic collisions here with serious injuries, so we thought maybe we should get here and target these violators and cut back on the dangers of this intersection,” Ofc. James Smith said.

Thursday’s targeted traffic enforcement by Wilmington Police with help from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office got off to a slow start, but soon enough drivers were breaking traffic laws left and right. We watched police stopped a man crossing over the median to get into the KFC parking lot. We also rode along with Ofc. J. Moore of the traffic unit to see why drivers broke the law. One truck driver that we had to race down the street to catch, ran a red light.

“Trucks block the light when you’re behind them,” said the driver, who only identified himself as Steven. “(I) couldn’t see it until I was already out there.” Despite the situation Steven was given a ticket that will cost him nearly $200.

In two hours, Operation Red Light ticketed 11 red light violations, six median violations, one expired registration and two drivers for expired inspection. The police officers and sheriff’s deputies involved in today’s operation say it’s a good start to making cluttered intersections like this a bit safer.