Gov. Mike Easley today announced that state and local law enforcement officers will be out in force during the next month as part of a holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign. Officers will be conducting checkpoints and stepped-up patrols across the state from today through Jan. 2, in an effort to remove impaired drivers from North Carolina roads this holiday season.

“As motorists travel to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, they should do so responsibly,” Easley said. “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.”

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

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, Dec. 7 to honor all those who died in alcohol related crashes in 2006.

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