Operation Firecracker Campaign Targeted Drunk Drivers in N.C.

North Carolina state and local law enforcement officers cited 2,129 motorists for driving while impaired during the “Booze It & Lose It: Operation Firecracker” campaign that ran June 28-July 8, according to Gov. Mike Easley.

A total of 71,048 traffic and criminal citations were issued statewide.

“I commend the state and local law enforcement officers who took part in this life-saving campaign to remove impaired drivers from our roads,” Easley said. “Their continued dedication to highway safety helped protect motorists across the state throughout the July Fourth holiday period.”

During the Governor’s Highway Safety Program campaign, officers statewide conducted more than 6,173 sobriety checkpoints and dedicated patrols. Counties with the highest number of DWI citations include: Wake (159), Mecklenburg (124) and New Hanover (79).

Officers also issued 7,290 safety belt and 1,044 child passenger safety violations, 24,135 speeding violations and 1,343 drug charges. In addition, they apprehended 377 fugitives from justice and recovered 109 stolen vehicles.

For county-by-county citation totals, visit the GHSP Web site at: www.ncdot.org/programs/ghsp.

Source: Office of the Governor of North Carolina