A surprising number of people call the North Carolina law enforcement road safety campaign “Booze It or Lose It,” but it’s actually “Booze It AND Lose It.”

That is, of course, lose your license.

This year-end party and holiday season, the Guilford County Sheriff’s Department, along with local and state law enforcement agencies, is joining the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program to dissuade drivers from drunk driving and other types of impaired driving.

The statewide “Booze It And Lose It” campaign is already underway.  It began on Monday, Dec. 11, and it will last until New Year’s Day. The campaign aims not to arrest more people but instead to raise awareness and deter people from the action that can turn festivity into funerals.

The Guilford County Sheriff’s DWI Task Force, which is taking part in the Christmastime campaign, is in action all year long. In 2023 through the end of November, the task force made 310 DWI arrests – and it also issued 152 seat belt and child safety restraint citations, and 476 speeding tickets.

This month, the Sheriff’s Department’s District Patrol Units and DWI Task Force are increasing enforcement of all safe movement violations “whether it’s impaired driving, speeding, or safety restraints.”

Across the state, law enforcement agencies will increase the number of sobriety checkpoints and patrols.

In a Monday, Dec. 18 press release/warning, Guilford County Sheriff Danny Rogers issued a plea for compliance this party season.

“Impaired driving incidents increase during the holiday season and lead to preventable accidents,” he stated. “Let’s ensure that this festive time is filled with joy, not tragedy. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the community to plan ahead during the holidays. Designate a sober driver or use ride-sharing services to ensure a safe journey home not only for yourself, but everyone else on the road.”

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