Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker Starts With a Bang!

State and local law enforcement officers will be out in force over the Fourth of July holiday.

June 28, 2007

CAMDEN COUNTY NC NEWS -- State and local law enforcement officers will be out in force over the Fourth of July holiday as part of the ''Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker'' campaign. Checkpoints and stepped-up patrols will be conducted June 28 to July 8 throughout the state in an effort to remove (DWI) impaired drivers from the roads.

Today, after an opening "Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker" checkpoint news briefing, in Newport, North Carolina. A checkpoint was opened at 10:00 p.m.

Governor Mike Easley said: "As North Carolinians celebrate our nation's independence with friends and family this Fourth of July, I want to remind them to do so responsibly. 'Law enforcement officers will be out in full force, cracking down on impaired drivers to help keep our roads safe."

On June 23, in Camden County some residents may have experienced a sample of the Booze It & Lose It campaigns. A checkpoint was set in Camden County, North Carolina on Highway 158 checking traffic between Elizabeth City and the Outer Banks, a major corridor too and from the beach.

In 2006, during the July Fourth holiday week, 43 North Carolina motorists were involved in fatal traffic crashes. Twelve of those fatalities were alcohol-related. Alcohol-related crashes also accounted for 309 injuries in the state during the same week last year. More than 1,700 North Carolina motorists were charged with (DWI) driving while impaired during the 2006 ''Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker'' campaign. More than 52 checkpoints and stepped-up patrols were held. During this year's St. Patrick's Day campaign 733 drivers were charged with DWI. Camden County drivers should beware. Click Here for more information on the North Carolina Governor's ''Booze It & Lose It" campaign.