Operation Firecracker Nets Over Two Thousand DWI Arrests

North Carolina Law enforcement agencies issued 71,048 traffic and criminal citations statewide.

July 11, 2007

WAKE COUNTY NC NEWS -- The Governor's Highway Safety Program, "Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker" netted 2,129 DWI arrests during the Fourth of July holiday campaign. North Carolina state and local law enforcement agencies issued a total of 71,048 traffic and criminal citations statewide. The "Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker" campaign ran from June 28, 2007 to July 8, 2007.

North Carolina Law enforcement officers statewide conducted more than 6,173 sobriety checkpoints and dedicated patrols. Counties with the highest number of DWI arrests included:

• Wake County with 159 citations
• Mecklenburg County with 124 citations
• New Hanover County with 79 citations
• Forsyth County with 69 citations

In addition, North Carolina Law enforcement apprehended 377 fugitives from justice and recovered 109 stolen vehicles. Officers also issued 7,290 safety belt and 1,044 child passenger safety violations, 24,135 speeding violations and 1,343 drug charges statewide.

To view all Operation Firecracker citation statics for North Carolina counties please open the following 2 Adobe PDF files:

• Operation Firecracker County Statistics Week 1
  
  
• Operation Firecracker County Statistics Week 2

North Carolina Governor Mike Easley said: "I commend the state and local law enforcement officers who took part in this lifesaving campaign to remove impaired drivers from our roads. Their continued dedication to highway safety helped protect motorists across the state throughout the July Fourth holiday period."

The Governor's Highway Safety Program, has scheduled the next "Booze It & Lose It" campaign for August 17, 2007 through Labor Day, September 3, 2007. These campaigns are aimed at removing drunk drivers from North Carolina highways and roads, but law enforcement will ticket you for other traffic violations. By North Carolina Statues, judges may impose a $4,000 maximum fine for DWI offenses. Please remember Wake County and North Carolina to check your vehicle's registration and inspection for expiration. Always buckle your seatbelt and never drive while intoxicated.