State Highway Patrol plans checkpoints, increased patrols

RALEIGH — State and local law enforcement officers will set up checkpoints and increase patrols beginning Friday in their annual July 4 crackdown on impaired driving.

A statement from Gov. Mike Easley’s office says officers charged more than 2,100 people with driving while impaired during the 2007 “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign.

The Governor’s Office says about 60 motorists were involved in fatal traffic crashes during the week of July 4 last year. Of those, 21 were alcohol-related, and officials say alcohol-related
crashes accounted for 411 injuries statewide during the same week.

This year, the checkpoints and patrols will run through July 6.

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