Remember them fondly...

News Years Eve is here and many of us will have a toast of cheer to celebrate the beginning of 2013.   As the last strains of Auld Lange Syne fade after midnight,  please don't let your celebrations get out of hand.

According to the NC Governor's Highway Safety Program, about 3 out of every 10 people in America are involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point in their life, and drunk drivers kill somebody every hour of every day across this country.

In North Carolina,  the 'BOOZE IT and LOSE IT' enforcement campaign will be in full swing throughout the New Year Holiday.   The Greenville Police Department is a very active participant in that life-saving enforcement effort.  Drivers can expect to see enforcement activities all around the City.

Here are some facts about the Driving While Impaired (DWI) law in NC:

• Imposes a $10,000 maximum fine for DWI offenses.  A conviction means an automatic license revocation for 1 year,  along with at least 24 hours imprisonment and 24 hours of community service.
• Imposes a 30-day administrative driver license revocation for persons who refuse to take the alcohol or drug test requested by an officer, or who have a 0.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) or 0.01 BAC if underage 21.
• Allows vehicle seizure and forfeiture for a driver who is impaired and whose license is revoked for DWI, or who is impaired and has no license and no insurance.
• Even if you refuse to take an alcohol test, the arresting officer is still entitled to take a blood sample from you.
• Besides the fines and imprisonment, your car insurance rates may go up as much as 400%, and attorney costs may exceed $4,000 or more.

Old times and old friends should not be forgotten, but remembered fondly and with love.  How sad it would be to have to remember them as being arrested, injured, or killed as a result of drunk driving.  

So, Please don't drink and drive.  

Happy New Year, everyone.