Fuse lit on Operation Firecracker

Law enforcement is gearing up for the approaching Fourth of July holiday weekend. Booze It and Lose It’s Operation Firecracker started Monday.

Law enforcement across the state will step up patrol and set up checkpoints to enforce drinking and driving.

Over the Independence Day week last year, there were 377 alcohol-related crashes, the majority of which involved injuries, and 12 that resulted in deaths.

"The summer is busy anyway; people are down at the beach enjoying their time and sometimes they get in situations where they probably shouldn't drive by they choose to do so anyway. It's basically a high volume traffic weekend, and we're out there enforcing the laws,” said Lt. H.G. Adams of the NHC Sheriff’s Office.

Almost 2,000 North Carolina drivers were charged with D.W.I. during last year's Operation Firecracker.

This year, it runs through July fifth.