Beware! The Bears are Loose

State and local law enforcement officers begin holiday "Booze It & Lose It" campaign

December 1, 2007

WAKE COUNTY NC NEWS -- Beware, Governor Mike Easley has authorized state and local law enforcement officers to begin the holiday "Booze It & Lose It" campaign. Law enforcement will be out in force throughout December and until January 2, 2008. The North Carolina Highway Patrol, county sheriffs' departments and municipal police departments will be conducting checkpoints and stepped-up patrols in an effort to remove drunk drivers from North Carolina roads this holiday season.

Although law enforcement is out to remove drunk drivers, they will ticket drivers for other traffic related infractions. In addition this can become quite expensive for the average citizen. Therefore, as always we warn North Carolinians to ensure that your vehicle is properly inspected, registered and insured.

Governor Easley said, "As motorists travel to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, they should do so responsibly. That means obeying the speed limit and not driving after drinking alcohol. Law enforcement officers will be on the hunt for impaired drivers to help make sure everyone has a safe holiday."

Moreover, alcohol-related traffic accidents occur more during this time of year when large numbers of people are traveling to and from holiday gatherings where alcohol is served. Last year 120 North Carolina motorists were involved in fatal traffic crashes, and 27 people were killed between Nov. 30, 2006 and Jan. 2, 2007.

Furthermore, the Governor's Highway Safety Program and Mothers Against Drunk Driving will hold a Tree of Life and candlelight ceremony on the state Capitol grounds at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2007, to honor all those who died in alcohol related crashes in 2006.

Persons planning to travel in North Carolina should be aware during the course of a traffic stop, if an police officer determines that there is reasonable suspicion to believe that a driver or any other occupant has violated any provision of law, the officer may detain that driver or occupant for a reasonable period of time in order to investigate further. Additionally, under North Carolina General Statue 20-16.3, any driver of a vehicle may be requested to submit to an alcohol screening test. If at anytime the requesting officer determines that the driver has previously consumed an alcoholic beverage, or has an open alcoholic beverage container in the vehicle. The officer should consider the results of the test, or a driver's refusal to take the test, as reasonable suspicion to investigate further.

Finally, if traveling this holiday season by automobile, please take the following safety precautions:

• Demand occupants of your vehicle wear seatbelts.
• Obey posted speed limits.
• Clean your vehicle's windshield and lights.
• Check tire pressure.
• Get plenty of sleep before you drive.

Once you've reached your destination have a safe and happy holiday, and whatever you do, don't get drunk and join the rest of the drunk drivers in jail!