North Carolina’s largest annual impaired driving enforcement effort kicked off this morning.
Operation Firecracker is part of the Booze It and Lose It campaign sponsored by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. State troopers, deputies and local law enforcement will be conducting aggressive, extensive patrols through July 7 to cut down on impaired drivers.
A total of 176 alcohol-related crashes and five fatalities occurred on North Carolina roads during the Fourth of July weekend in 2024, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.
“We want everyone to enjoy the holiday and celebrate but getting behind the wheel after drinking is never worth the risk,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “Last year, 11,782 crashes were reported statewide involving drivers who were under the influence of alcohol. This is unacceptable. Law enforcement officers from every county in the state will be working this campaign to catch impaired drivers.”
Getting behind the wheel of a boat while impaired can also earn arrest.
Operation Dry Water kicks into high gear Friday through Sunday. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) Law Enforcement Division officers will participate
Operation Dry Water, is a national campaign developed through the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The focus of the campaign is enforcement and awareness about the dangers of boating while impaired. The July 4 holiday period is one of busiest for boaters, and the higher number of sometimes inexperienced, sometimes impaired boaters often leads to an increase in boating incidents and fatalities.
Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. Wildlife officers will be increasing water patrols, providing boaters with information on the dangers of impaired boating and enforcing state laws.
The effects of motion, sun and wind can also heighten the effects of some impairing substances, especially alcohol, while “boater fatigue” can also lea to inattention and possible accidents.
“Boating under the influence continues to be a serious and preventable problem,” said Lt. Forrest Orr. “Our goal is to create a safer environment for all recreational boaters, paddlers, and waterway users. That’s why NCWRC is joining agencies across the country through Operation Dry Water to prevent incidents, injuries, and fatalities caused by impaired boating.”
Boating While Impaired (BWI) is treated the same as DWI.
It is unlawful to operate a recreational vessel with an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, or while being appreciably impaired by alcohol, drugs or other impairing substances. During last year’s campaign, NCWRC law enforcement officers deployed 153 officers and removed 37 people from the water who were boating while impaired.
So far this year, 39 boating incidents have occurred in North Carolina, three were fatal. Last year in North Carolina, boating incidents resulted in 15 fatalities. NCWRC Law Enforcement reminds boaters to always boat sober and to wear a life jacket when on or around the water.
Wildlife officers work with other agencies on land to identify and detain boaters who appear to be impaired, but make it ashore before they can be stopped.
Additional support for Operation Dry Water and The Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s Operation Firecracker Booze It & Lose It campaign includes North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement and the North Carolina Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch.
