Booze it and Lose it: give up your keys if you plan to drink | Crime

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Law enforcement agencies across the state will step up patrols this Fourth of July holiday to bring awareness to the dangers of driving after drinking.

The Booze it and Lose It: Operation Firecracker campaign kicks off Friday morning with a special event at Fort Fisher.

Governor's Highway Safety Program Director Becky Wallace, Sheriff Ingram, Capt. Taft and LaRhonda Scott from MADD will speak at the event. Their goal is to get all drunk drivers off the road and remind drivers of the tragic and sobering consequences that can result from driving under the influence.

Operation Firecracker begins June 29 and will wrap up July 8. Additional checkpoints and stepped up patrols will be conducted throughout North Carolina.

More than 1,100 residents were given DWI citations during the campaign in 2011.

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