Agencies launch summer North Carolina DWI enforcement
Friday, May 4th, 2012North Carolina law enforcement officials say that May marks the opening of the “busiest travel periods of the year.” In addition to an increase in travel, authorities say that May is the month in which law enforcement will seek to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving.
Agencies across the state will be participating in an initiative that will use resources of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the Wildlife Resources Commission and Alcohol Law Enforcement agents to enforce North Carolina law prohibiting driving while impaired that begins this month.
The DWI law enforcement operation is called “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive.” Most drivers in North Carolina are aware that agencies across the state often use saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints among other strategies seeking to uncover evidence that a driver may be impaired while on the road.
But during operation On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive, law enforcement agencies will conduct DWI checkpoints near recreational boating areas during the summer months, with a special focus on noted summer holiday periods. However, the summer DWI enforcement initiative does not mean that all DWI saturation patrols and DWI checkpoints will be utilized only near recreational boating areas.
North Carolina officials say that the big summer holiday periods surrounding Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day will see special consideration. But, with Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby falling on the same weekend this year, motorists can probably expect to see North Carolina DWI law enforcement efforts cropping up all across the state.
DWI charges can result in harsh consequences for a driver, if the person accused of drunk driving is later convicted. It is important to consider speaking with an experienced Pitt County DWI defense lawyer as soon as possible after a DWI arrest to learn what legal defenses may be available in a specific set of circumstances.
Source: News & Observer, “State DWI campaign to target drivers, boaters,” May 4, 2012