The North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program has launched its annual Labor Day "Booze It & Lose It" campaign, aimed to swiftly remove impaired drivers from the roads during the high-risk holiday period. The campaign, which started on Monday and runs through September 8, will feature increased patrols, as confirmed by law enforcement officials on Monday.
Amid festivities, the spirit of celebration can too easily be accompanied by the consumption of alcohol and other substances that impair judgment and reaction times. It's a potentially fatal blend that the state is looking to curb. "This Labor Day, drivers should plan ahead by arranging a sober ride home from any festivities that might involve alcohol or other impairing substances," said Mark Ezzell, Director of the N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program, in a statement obtained by NCDOT. "Law enforcement will be working extra patrols during this campaign to keep our roads safe by catching those who do not heed this message. Safety is our number one priority."
The focal point for the campaign's launch was the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory, where specialists delve into the forensic science essential in resolving cases involving impaired drivers. The lab tour and press conference highlighted the advancements made in toxicology, essential for accurately identifying instances of impairment.
Wayne Lewallen, who serves as the forensic scientist manager for the lab’s Toxicology section, spoke about the progress the facility had made, thanks in no small part to state and federal grants. "With the support of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program over the past decade, we have been able to apply for and receive grant funds that have provided for the implementation of advanced technologies and continued training focused on the detection of alcohol and drugs in driving under the influence cases," Lewallen told NCDOT.
