RALEIGH – State and local officials are urging North Carolinians to celebrate Halloween safely by planning a sober ride home. The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (NCGHSP) launched its annual “Halloween Booze It & Lose It” enforcement campaign Friday, emphasizing the dangers of drinking and driving.
Beginning Monday, law enforcement agencies in all 100 counties will increase patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints to identify and deter impaired drivers. The initiative aims to prevent crashes and save lives during one of the most dangerous times of the year for impaired driving.
“Driving under the influence is a choice that can have devastating consequences,” said NCGHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “A critical part of celebrating Halloween is planning ahead to ensure the safety of everyone. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver to transport you to and from your festivities.”
According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, hundreds of people are killed each year in crashes involving impaired drivers. During last year’s Halloween enforcement period, troopers and local officers made 588 DWI arrests statewide. In 2024, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles reported 361 deaths and 11,782 crashes related to alcohol impairment.
“All the education and outreach won’t have a positive impact without people who make a conscious decision to never get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking or using other impairing substances,” said NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson. “Had people simply made a decision not to drink and drive, we would have no reason to hold press conferences like this one.”
Friday’s event took place at the Safety City exhibit at the North Carolina State Fair, an interactive space that educates visitors about driver safety. In addition to Ezzell and Johnson, speakers included Mothers Against Drunk Driving State Executive Director Emily Ferraro and Greensboro Police Cpl. Nicholas Walton, both advocates for safe and responsible driving.
As part of the campaign, NCGHSP also introduced its “Don’t Play With Death” media initiative, designed to reinforce positive driving behavior and encourage everyone to make responsible choices before getting behind the wheel this Halloween season.
