OHP troopers urge Oklahomans to drive safely over New Year's holiday

UNDATED (AP) -- Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers will be out in force during the long New Year's weekend to keep the state's roads and highways safe.<br/><br/>Lieutenant Pete Norwood says troopers

Friday, December 30th 2005, 5:02 pm

By: News On 6

UNDATED (AP) -- Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers will be out in force during the long New Year's weekend to keep the state's roads and highways safe.

Lieutenant Pete Norwood says troopers will do everything they can to keep the roads safe. But Norwood says they need the public's help to prevent highway injuries and deaths.

Last year, one person died during the New Year's holiday due to a traffic collision. Norwood says that's one too many. He says the patrol's goal is zero deaths.

Troopers plan to focus their enforcement efforts on drinking drivers, those not wearing seat belts and motorists who flick cigarette butts on the roadway. The state is under a statewide burn ban.

Through Thursday, there have been 679 collisions resulting in 770 traffic deaths in the state this year.