RALEIGH – If you drink this Halloween, never drive.

The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program launched the “Halloween Booze It & Lose It” campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while impaired.

Beginning Monday, law enforcement officials will increase saturation patrols to take drunk drivers off the roads.

“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.”

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles reports that 405 people died in alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina in 2023. Of the 1,565 people who died in fatal car crashes last year, 22.4% were alcohol-related crash fatalities.

Video footage from today’s campaign kickoff in “Safety City” at the N.C. State Fair can be found here. Speakers at the event included NCGHSP Director Mark Ezzell, Colonel Freddy L. Johnson of the N.C. State Highway Patrol, N.C. High School Athletic Association’s Associate Commissioner Karen DeHart and student advocate Kyle Stinson, a member of NCHSAA’s Region 5 Student Athletic Advisory Council.