Be Careful This Halloween Weekend, Police Increase DWI Patrols

As Halloween is upon us, many will be partaking in festive celebrations and costume parties this weekend. While planning your fun-filled weekends, be sure to remember that the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program will be out in full force. The program’s Halloween Booze It & Lose It campaign will be targeting those driving under the influence this weekend.

The campaign begins today and will continue through Halloween, October 31. The initiative is state-wide, and law enforcement officers will be setting up checkpoints and increasing patrols in an effort to catch those operating vehicles under the influence.

David Weinstein, the director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, warns drivers that people who chose to drink and drive will most likely be caught due to the increased patrol this weekend. He reminds drivers to hand over their keys if they drink this weekend, as the consequences of drunk driving are severe.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, there were more than 17,500 criminal and traffic citations during last year’s Halloween campaign. Of those, 816 were DWI arrests.

To avoid being charged with a DWI offense, heed these tips this weekend:

• Make plans for how you will get home safely before you go out.
• If you are going to drink, find a designated driver.
• If your designated driver falls through, use public transportation or call a taxi.
• Don’t let your friends drive under the influence.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to enjoy a safe and fun-filled Halloween weekend without worrying about any criminal charges.

Source: WECT-TV6 “Find a safe way home, officers step up patrols Halloween weekend,” 28 October 2010