More than 800 drivers in North Carolina were arrested for driving under the influence during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday.
Law enforcement stepped up patrols and held checkpoints across the state from March 14 through March 17 as part of the “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.
“The only lucky charm guaranteed to work this St. Patrick’s Day was a designated driver,” said Don Nail, director of the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Thanks to the efforts of law enforcement, those who drove drunk got caught. The officers will continue their efforts day and night until drivers no longer get behind the wheel after drinking.”
The top five counties for DWI arrests during the St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign include:
• Wake County with 92 DWI arrests;
• Mecklenburg County with 64 DWI arrests;
• Cumberland County with 41 DWI arrests;
• Guilford County with 39 DWI arrests; and
• Robeson County with 32 DWI arrests.
In addition to DWI arrests, local and state law enforcement officers issued 23,867 traffic and criminal citations statewide at 3,959 checking stations and patrols. They also issued 1,685 safety belt and 282 child passenger safety violations; 6,579 speeding violations; 170 work zone violations and 729 drug charges. In addition, they apprehended 612 fugitives from justice and recovered 21 stolen vehicles.
