RALEIGH, North Carolina — North Carolina's annual Halloween "Booze It & Lose It" enforcement campaign is under way across all 100 counties, with increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints running from October 26 through November 1, the N.C. Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) and the state Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) say.

Source: N.C. Department of Transportation

The campaign was launched at a press conference at the Safety City exhibit at the N.C. State Fair in Raleigh, where state and local officials joined safety advocates. NCDHHS renewed the warning on Thursday, October 29, as Halloween weekend gatherings began, urging people to plan ahead so they do not get behind the wheel after drinking or ride with someone who is not sober.

Source: NCDHHS

"Halloween should be a time for fun, not tragedy," said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. "Our 'Booze It & Lose It' campaign is a reminder that impaired driving is preventable. Plan ahead, designate a sober driver and make sure you have a safe way home before the festivities begin. A little preparation can make all the difference in saving lives."

The numbers behind the crackdown

Impaired driving remains a serious threat to motorists, passengers and pedestrians across the state, officials said. According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, a total of 387 alcohol-related deaths and 105 drug-related deaths occurred on North Carolina roads in 2025. During the 2025 Halloween "Booze It & Lose It" enforcement period alone, officers made 594 DWI arrests as part of the statewide effort to deter impaired driving.

"Safety on our roads starts with the choices we make before getting behind the wheel. Too often, people underestimate how much alcohol or other impairing substances can affect their ability to drive," said Dr. Larry Greenblatt, State Health Director and NCDHHS Chief Medical Officer. "Please protect yourself and those around you, do not drive impaired and do not ride with someone who is."

How the warning is being delivered

NCDHHS explained the impairment risk in plain terms: driving under the influence affects the key skills needed to drive safely — coordination, focus and reactivity — and even a small amount of alcohol impacts the ability to operate a vehicle. Because impairment also affects judgement, the department said, the decision about getting home should never be left until the moment a person needs to drive: have a sober friend or family member drive, or use a rideshare service.

Alongside enforcement, GHSP continues its "Don't Play With Death" media campaign, which encourages drivers to make responsible decisions and recognise the potentially deadly consequences of dangerous driving. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of North Carolina's Breath Alcohol Testing Mobile Unit Operations, which bring testing resources directly to officers and communities; NCDHHS's Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch supports the effort through officer training, educational events and other services.

What drivers and truckers should expect

For the Punjabi diaspora and truck drivers moving through North Carolina this weekend — on corridors such as I-40, I-85 and I-95 — the practical effect is more checkpoints and patrol cars in every county through Sunday night, November 1. Anyone who suspects a driver is impaired is asked to keep a safe distance and contact law enforcement when it is safe to do so.

What happens next

The enforcement period ends on November 1. Results from this year's Halloween campaign — including DWI arrest totals comparable to last year's 594 — are typically reported by the state after the enforcement window closes. No results for the 2026 period had been announced as of Friday, October 30.

Sources: N.C. Department of Transportation / Governor's Highway Safety Program release, October 26, 2026; NCDHHS, "Halloween 'Booze It & Lose It' Annual Campaign Underway," October 29, 2026; RRSpin's republication of the state release, October 23, 2026.