From 2004 to 2008, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has collected data and formulated statistics that show that an average of nearly 58,000 people were involved in such automobile crashes in the state as a result of driver distractions. During that period, more than 13,000 were reportedly injured and 119 lost their lives.

Troopers frequently find drivers operating their vehicles in an unsafe manner due to distractions in side the vehicle. While texting behind the wheel remains a serious concern, the patrol also notes that other driver distractions can equally become dangerous activities behind the wheel.  Eating, applying makeup, and adjusting radio controls can result of an accident. Dealing with issues regarding children or pets that are riding along, also can create hazardous conditions.

Troopers equate driving while distracted to being impaired while behind the wheel and will take steps to be watchful for drivers who may not being using the best judgment while motoring down the road.

The NC Highway Patrol indicates that Interstates 95 and 40 will be the more likely places for the sake of enforcing the law. Depending on the appropriate charge, drivers could face serious consequences with hefty fines and have points issued on their license.

Law enforcement agencies statewide have noted the difficulties in catching violators of the anti-texting while driving laws.

Caterpillar Expansion Welcomed News

RALEIGH-Governor Bev Perdue has announced a much needed boost to the Johnston County workforce this week with the addition of 199 jobs being added by construction equipment giant, Caterpillar, which already maintains a large manufacturing facility in Clayton.

Corporate officials have indicated plans to create nearly 200 jobs at the facility over the next five years and invest $33 million into the plant. The project is being partially funded by grants made possible through the Job Development Investment Grant program and other funding.

"Creating jobs is my top priority," Gov. Perdue said. "And the fact that globally competitive companies continue to make investments like these in North Carolina proves that our legacy of investing in education and worker training has paid off. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce will serve Caterpillar's advanced manufacturing needs well."

As the facility expands, the Clayton operations for Caterpillar will become a world leader for several models of construction loaders produced by the company. Expansion will also include a new engineering and test facility near the company's current manufacturing facility in western Johnston County.

"As we see global demand for our products increase, we continue to make long-term investments like this in our facilities to help meet customer needs," said Mary Bell, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Building Construction Products Division.  

While individual wages for jobs will vary by job function, the overall average for the new jobs will be $41,466, plus benefits. The average annual wage in Johnston County is $31,460. 

To help facilitate this expansion, the company has been awarded a $400,000 grant from the state's One North Carolina Fund.  This fund provides cash grants to attract business projects deemed by the governor to be vital to a healthy and growing state economy. No money is paid up front and companies must meet job creation and investment targets to receive payments. One North Carolina Fund grants also require a local match, and this grant is contingent upon approval of local incentives. 

Also, the state Economic Investment Committee today voted to award a Job Development Investment Grant to Caterpillar. JDIGs are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant.

Under the terms of the JDIG, the company is eligible to receive a grant equal to 65 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs for each of the 9 years in which the company meets annual performance targets. If Caterpillar meets the targets called for under the agreement and sustains them for 9 years, the JDIG could yield $1.644 million in maximum benefits for the company.

In addition, up to $548,000 could be added to the state's Utility Fund for infrastructure improvements in economically distressed counties. When a JDIG is awarded in Tier 3 counties such as Johnston, 25 percent of the grant is allocated to this fund to encourage economic development in less prosperous areas.

Other partners who assisted with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Department of Transportation, N.C. Community Colleges, Johnston County, the Town of Clayton, and the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center.

Through Gov. Perdue's JobsNOW initiative, the state continues to work aggressively to create well-paying jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.

For more information about Caterpillar, please visit www.cat.com.