Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that state and local law enforcement officers removed 816 impaired drivers from our roads during the Halloween “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, which ran Oct. 30-Nov. 1. A total of 17,573 traffic and criminal citations were issued statewide.

“Over the weekend our roads were a little less scary thanks to state and local law enforcement officers that participated in this life saving campaign,” Perdue said. “More families were able to enjoy the fun holiday due to their efforts and dedication to highway safety.”

During the Governor’s Highway Safety Program campaign, officers statewide conducted more than 2,157 sobriety checkpoints and dedicated patrols. Counties with the highest number of DWI citations include: Mecklenburg (80), Wake (59), New Hanover (36).

Officers also issued 1,189 safety belt violations, 252 child passenger safety violations, 4,975 speeding violations and 359 drug charges. In addition, they apprehended 147 fugitives from justice and recovered 24 stolen vehicles.

For county-by-county citation totals, visit the GHSP Web site at: www.ncdot.org/programs/ghsp.