BRUNSWICK COUNTY — As St. Patrick’s Day celebrations continue across the region, the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is urging residents to make responsible choices behind the wheel and is participating in a weeklong impaired‑driving crackdown through the state’s “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.
The enforcement effort, coordinated by the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program, runs March 16–22 and brings increased patrols, checking stations, and saturation patrols to roadways across Brunswick County. Deputies will be working extended hours throughout the week to identify and remove impaired drivers before they cause harm.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that while St. Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration, “luck won’t protect you on the road — good decisions will.”
Residents planning to drink are encouraged to take simple steps to stay safe:
- Drive sober
- Designate a sober, licensed driver
- Use a rideshare or call someone for a ride
- Hand over your keys if you’ve been drinking
Officials say a few minutes of planning can prevent a tragedy. Nationally, an average of 37 people die every day in alcohol‑related crashes — all of them considered 100% preventable.
North Carolina’s “Booze It & Lose It” program is widely recognized as one of the nation’s most effective anti‑drunk‑driving initiatives. Since its launch in 1994, the campaign has combined public education with high‑visibility enforcement. Despite its success, more than 9,000 people have been killed in alcohol‑related crashes in the state over the past three decades.
Motorists charged with driving while impaired face steep consequences, including possible jail time, loss of driving privileges, and an average of $10,000 in fines, towing, legal fees, and other expenses. But law enforcement leaders stress that the financial cost is nothing compared to the potential loss of life.
The Sheriff’s Office says its message is simple: Don’t press your luck — drive sober.
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