Highway Patrol and Wildlife join forces to patrol for drunk drivers

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — The State Highway Patrol along with the Wildlife Resources Commission have launched a campaign to combat impaired drivers on the roads and on the water.

“On the Road/On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive” was launched today during a press event in Wake Forest.

Last year, the highway patrol investigated 275 fatal crashes and more than 9,578 crashes with injuries during the summer months. The highway patrol says 54 of those fatal wrecks and 844 that caused injuries were due to impaired driving.

“Partnering with fellow law enforcement agencies to accomplish the goal of saving lives is something we always encourage”, said Colonel Glenn McNeill, commander of the State Highway Patrol.  “This campaign is simply another way we focus on removing impaired motorists from our state’s roadways.”

Montana Marshall Poe, sister of Sheyenne Marshall who was killed as a result of a drunk boater in 2015, also spoke at the event  In 2016, Sheyenne’s Law was passed, making it a felony charge if a boater is impaired and accidentally injuries or kills another person on the water.