North Carolina Highway Patrol Cracks Down On Drunk Driving During Holidays

WHQR out of Wilmington, North Carolina, reports that the North Carolina Highway Patrol have kicked off their "Booze it and Lose it" holiday campaign against drunk driving between Thanksgiving and New Years. Last year there were 165 deadly crashed between the two holidays - one in three involved alcohol.

This year, seven people were killed over the Thanksgiving holiday, compared with 21 last year. The NC Highway Patrol says these numbers reflect their heightened focus on targeting drunk drivers, both on the local and state levels.

In addition to pulling over drunk drivers, the campaign also encourages partygoers to have a designated driver.

"It's really easy; it takes probably five minute to plan if you're going to go out and celebrate. So we just ask that people take that time to make sure they do that," said Beth Horner, of the Governor's Highway Safety Program.

The "Booze it and Lose it" program began 14 years ago. It ends on January 4.