Ways to stay safe while driving during the holiday season

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — If you are planning on taking a car instead of a plane to your holiday destination this year, Triple-A says you’ll be one of the 104 million Americans traveling by car this holiday season. That is the second-highest amount in history behind 2019.

If you are driving, it’s important to remember to drive safely, don’t drink and drive, and order an Uber if you do drink.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol is currently running a “Booze It and Lose It” DWI enforcement program.

State trooper Jon Gurganus said the highway patrol’s goal isn’t to give out tickets but to make sure everyone has a fun and safe holiday season.

“Our goal is to save lives,” Gurganus said. “It’s not to write tickets and arrest people. That’s a product of our responsibilities but our goal is voluntary compliance of the laws and for people to get where they’re going safely.”

Gurganus also said some of the highest number of DWI tickets and arrests happen during the holiday season.