RALEIGH – The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program gathered with officials in Charlotte on Aug. 20 to announce the launch of the upcoming Labor Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.
The statewide enforcement initiative, which runs from Aug. 25 through Sept. 7, uses amplified outreach and enforcement efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road during one of the busiest and most dangerous travel times of the year.
Drivers can expect to see an increase in saturation law enforcement patrols and checkpoints statewide over the next few weeks.
“While Labor Day is a popular time for final summer getaways, it is also a very dangerous time to be on the roads,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “It marks the conclusion of the ‘100 Deadliest Days,’ which is the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day where we see a spike in teen-related crash fatalities. This campaign reminds everyone to make smart decisions behind the wheel and prioritize safety.”
During last year’s Labor Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, there were 444 alcohol- involved crashes in North Carolina. Eleven of these crashes resulted in fatalities.
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles spoke at the event, along with N.C. Board of Transportation Chairman Tony Lathrop and Tiffany Wright, director of public affairs with AAA – The Auto Club Group.
“In addition to enforcement, good engineering, and strong public outreach efforts, we need a commitment from all of our motoring public to be safe on the roads,” Lathrop said. “It cannot be said enough: don’t speed, avoid distractions, always wear your seat belt and never drink and drive.”
