Holiday Booze It & Lose It campaign targets impaired driving across North Carolina

(WWAY) — Local and state officials are renewing their push to keep impaired drivers off North Carolina roads during the busy holiday travel season.

The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program has officially launched its Holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, a statewide initiative aimed at preventing drunk and drug-impaired driving through increased enforcement and public awareness.

From now through Jan. 4, law enforcement agencies in all 100 counties will step up patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints in an effort to identify impaired drivers and remove them from the road before crashes happen.

“Far too often, people make poor decisions that have serious and sometimes deadly consequences,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

State data shows the continued toll of impaired driving. Last year, 361 people were killed in more than 11,000 alcohol-related crashes across North Carolina.

Officials say the holiday season is especially dangerous, with more parties, celebrations, and alcohol consumption increasing the risk of impaired driving crashes. The Booze It & Lose It campaign is designed to deter drivers from getting behind the wheel while impaired and to remind the public that enforcement will be visible and widespread.

Safety leaders are also urging people to plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using a taxi or rideshare service, or arranging another safe ride home if alcohol is involved.