ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department has joined the annual statewide “Halloween Booze It & Lose It” campaign, an effort to raise awareness about the danger of driving under the influence.

The campaign is produced in partnership with the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program and will run from Monday. Oct. 27 to Sunday, Nov. 2.

Booze it and lose it

“The campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving,” wrote APD Public Information Officer Rick Rice in a press release. “Halloween consistently sees some of the highest instances of Driving While Impaired (DWI) annually. Drivers can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence to help keep roads safe.”

According to data from the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles, 361 people died in a total of 11,782 alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina in 2024.

“If you plan on celebrating Halloween out, plan ahead by designating a sober driver or using rideshare services,” Rice wrote. “Motorists caught driving while impaired could face jail time, lose their driving privileges, and pay an average of $10,000 in fines, towing fees, and other expenses associated with a DWI.”

For more information on the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, visit www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/booze-it-lose-it.