The Highway Patrol along with the Wildlife Resources Commission will be increasing patrols this Labor Day holiday in an effort to save lives.
Whether on the road or on the water, law enforcement officers across the state will be on the lookout for impaired drivers by conducting DWI checkpoints on highways and near recreational boating areas as well as public service announcements that educate motorists on the dangers of drinking and driving.
According to AAA, 35.5 million people are expected travel during the Labor Day period. It is anticipated that 86 percent of travelers will get to their destinations by a car.
Operation “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink & Drive” is a multi-agency initiative that is designed to combine law enforcement resources to ensure that all motorists can safely travel on highway and waterways during the summer months. The Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as the summer months come to an end.
Last year in North Carolina, troopers investigated 13 fatal collisions and 388 injury collisions over the Labor Day weekend. This included 4 fatal collisions and 31 injury collisions that were attributed to alcohol and/or drug impairment.
“On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink & Drive” initially kicked off during the Memorial Day holiday weekend and was extremely successful. The initiative is focused on three key summer travel holiday weekends; Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
“With summer coming to an end, we realize that more people will be traveling on the highways and waterways. Unfortunately, some operators will choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence,” said Lt. Jeff Gordon, spokesman for the State Highway Patrol. “Whether you’re operating a vehicle or boat, impaired driving can have the same deadly consequences.”
The operation will begin on Thursday 3rd and conclude at midnight on Monday, September 7th.