Local agencies, including the Asheville Police Department (APD), along with state and county law enforcement across all 100 counties, will significantly increase patrols and utilize sobriety checkpoints to remove impaired drivers from the roads through the campaign's conclusion at midnight on January 4, 2026.
Increased Enforcement Across North Carolina
The three-week initiative focuses on the high risk of impaired driving during the busy travel period between Christmas and New Year's Day.
Who: Law enforcement officers from city police departments, county sheriff's offices, and the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
What: Increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints designed to detect and apprehend drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.
When: December 15, 2025, through January 4, 2026.
Where: Roads across the entire state of North Carolina.
The APD, which issued a statement announcing its participation, noted that the combination of increased holiday travel and potential winter weather conditions makes responsible driving more critical than ever.
"We urge everyone to make responsible choices this holiday season: plan, designate a sober driver, use rideshare services, and never drive impaired," the Asheville Police Department stated, reflecting the campaign’s core message. "Together, we can save lives and make our roads safer for all."
The Cost of Impaired Driving in NC
The campaign's stark title, "Booze It & Lose It," is a direct warning about the severe penalties for Driving While Impaired (DWI) in North Carolina. A DWI conviction comes with consequences that can include:
Immediate License Revocation: Drivers may lose their license on the spot.
Significant Fines and Court Costs: Expenses often run into the thousands of dollars.
Jail Time: Mandatory jail time is possible even for a first offense.
Vehicle Seizure: Cars can be seized and held pending trial.
Ignition Interlock Device: Installation of a device that requires a breath sample before the vehicle will start, often for years.
The GHSP reports that alcohol-related crashes are one of the leading causes of traffic fatalities, and the holiday period remains one of the deadliest times on state roads.
For more information on the "Booze It & Lose It" campaign and details on DWI consequences, North Carolinians can visit the NCDOT Governor's Highway Safety Program website
WNCTimes