Traffic crackdown results in 160 speeding citations in Cumberland County: 'It's about saving lives'

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Law enforcement agencies across Cumberland County joined forces Monday for a large-scale traffic enforcement operation aimed at reducing speeding and aggressive driving as county leaders work to address a high rate of fatal crashes.

The initiative, known as Operation Slow Em' Down, brought together the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and seven partner agencies, including the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Fort Bragg Military Police.

According to Cumberland County Sheriff Johnathan Morgan, the operation's primary goal was not issuing citations, but improving roadway safety."It's not about writing tickets. It's about saving lives and making sure people are safe," Sheriff Morgan said.

Sheriff Morgan said officers were strategically positioned throughout the county, focusing on major travel corridors including Interstate 95 and Interstate 295. Using speed radar technology, officers monitored traffic and identified motorists exceeding posted speed limits.

The sheriff emphasized the dangers posed by excessive speed and distracted driving. "You just imagine someone just running on a road at a hundred miles an hour, all those distractions with the phones and radios and everything else. Now, it's just very unsafe to be traveling at high speeds," he said.

The enforcement campaign comes as Cumberland County continues to rank among the top 10 counties in North Carolina for traffic fatalities.

For Johnny Boykin, owner of Clearview Driving School in Fayetteville, safe driving habits remain a central focus of driver education.

"We teach our students here 3 to 5 seconds behind in that next car and with that stopping distance," Boykin said.

Boykin opened his driving school in 2024 after recognizing a growing need for driver education in the area. He said motorists can reduce their crash risk by following basic driving principles.

"Eyes up, brain on, you know, being attentive to your drive, being able to anticipate the next move, knowing the right way. And last is space and time are your best friends," Boykin said.

The highest speed recorded during Monday's operation was by the Hope Mills Police Department, which cited a driver for traveling 107 mph in a 65-mph zone.

Morgan said the enforcement effort was focused on protecting motorists and preventing tragedies. "I don't want folks to think we're just out here writing tickets. We're out making sure people are safe going to and from home and to work," he said.

Operation Slow Em' Down: Enforcement Results

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

• 57 speeding citations (highest speed: 96 mph in a 70 mph zone)

• 2 registration violation citations

• 1 careless and reckless driving citation

• 1 resist, delay and obstruct citation

• 1 possession of marijuana charge

• 1 possession of drug paraphernalia charge

• 9 speeding warnings

North Carolina State Highway Patrol

• 11 speeding citations

• 2 seat belt citations

• 4 registration violation citations

• 1 no operator license citation

• 2 driving while license revoked citations

• 1 no insurance citation

Fort Bragg Military Police Traffic Unit

• 5 speeding citations (highest speed: 102 mph in a 65 mph zone)

• 3 driving while license revoked citations

• 3 careless and reckless driving citations

• 2 no insurance citations

• 2 driving while impaired citations

• 1 open container citation

Fayetteville Police Department

• 24 speeding citations (highest speed: 90 mph in a 65 mph zone)

• 1 no operator license citation

• 5 driving while license revoked citations

• 1 careless and reckless driving citation

• 2 speeding warnings

• 1 window tint citation

• 5 Move Over Law citations

Hope Mills Police Department

• 22 speeding citations (highest speed: 107 mph in a 65 mph zone)

• 1 seat belt citation

• 5 registration violation citations

• 2 no operator license citations

• 3 driving while license revoked citations

• 3 no insurance citations

• 6 careless and reckless driving citations

• 1 warrant served

• 1 fender height violation citation

• 1 revoked tag citation

• 2 fictitious tag citations

• One on-view arrest resulting in charges of felony possession of marijuana, carrying a concealed firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia and a brake light violation

Stedman Police Department

• 1 speeding citation (80 mph in a 60 mph zone)

• 3 registration violation citations

• 1 no operator license citation

• 3 driving while license revoked citations

• 1 possession of marijuana charge

• 1 trafficking opiates charge

Spring Lake Police Department

• 40 speeding citations (highest speed: 85 mph in a 55 mph zone)

• 8 registration violation citations

• 3 driving while license revoked citations

• 1 no insurance citation

• 1 resist, delay and obstruct citation

• 1 careless and reckless driving citation

• 1 window tint violation citation

• 2 inspection violation citations

• 1 stop light citation

• 1 unsafe movement citation

• 1 unsafe lane change citation

• 1 failure to heed blue light and siren charge

• 1 protection order violation charge

• 1 warrant served

• 1 child neglect charge

• 1 handicapped parking violation citation

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