‘Booze It & Lose It’ campaign returns for Halloween
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program kicked off its annual “Halloween Booze It & Lose It” enforcement campaign Friday, reminding everyone that if you drink, never drive.
Starting Monday, law enforcement agencies across all 100 counties will increase patrols and set up sobriety checkpoints through November 2 to catch and deter impaired drivers.
“Driving under the influence is a choice that can have devastating consequences,” said NCGHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “A critical part of celebrating Halloween is planning ahead to ensure the safety of everyone. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver to transport you to and from your festivities.”
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, hundreds of people die in preventable impaired driving crashes each year. During last year’s Halloween enforcement period, troopers and local police made 588 DWI arrests as part of the statewide effort to reduce impaired-driving deaths.
In 2024, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles reported 361 deaths from alcohol-related crashes and 11,782 alcohol-related crashes total on North Carolina roads.
“All the education and outreach won’t have a positive impact without people who make a conscious decision to never get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking or using other impairing substances,” said Daniel Johnson, secretary of the N.C. Department of Transportation. “Had people simply made a decision not to drink and drive, we would have no reason to hold press conferences like this one.”
Friday’s press event took place at the Safety City exhibit at the North Carolina State Fair, where fairgoers can learn about driver safety through interactive displays.
As part of the Halloween initiative, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program also announced its new media effort, “Don’t Play With Death,” aimed at encouraging safe, sober driving throughout the Halloween season.
