The Matheson Law Office Discusses the Result of the “Booze it or Lose it” Governor’s Highway Safety Program for the Holiday Season

Raleigh, North Carolina (PRWEB) January 05, 2014

During this past holiday season, beginning December 13, 2013 and ending January 5, 2014, the North Carolina Department of Transportation implemented a "Booze it or Lose it" campaign through the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. The campaign resulted in the set up of over 8,000 DWI checkpoints and over 1,000 DWI arrests statewide. As a result of DWI arrests, there are often other charges that get piled on to the original charge. These other charges include speeding tickets, seat-belt violations, Driving While License Revoked (DWLR), uninsured motorist charges, and reckless driving tickets. From the viewpoint of a Raleigh DWI Attorney, these drunk driving campaigns are a great tool to keep our roadways and drivers safer by preventing the increase of alcohol related accidents.

In a news article posted by The Daily Courier on January 1, 2014, "Holiday DWI Campaign Continues" by Alyssa Mulliger, a summary of the statewide campaign is presented for the readers. The major focus of this campaign is on heavily trafficked areas, such as freeways, highways and frequented two-lane roadways. Thus far the statistics from the year’s campaign dictate that there have been 1,473 DWI arrests. However, there have also been about 109 speeding violations, 32 seat-belt violations, 13 Driving While License Revoked, 3 uninsured motorist violations, and 5 reckless driving violations. Comparatively the 2012 "Booze it or Lose it" campaign produced over 3,000 DWI arrests, thus proving that these campaigns set up by the North Carolina Department of Transportation are effective in lowering the amount of drivers who will get behind the wheel while intoxicated during the holiday season. It is a positive message to the people living in the state of North Carolina to see police officers effectively keeping the roadways a safe place for all drivers.

A statement made by Attorney Moseley Matheson, a Wake County Criminal Attorney had this to say, “While these campaigns are created to insure North Carolina highways are safe, people must still be vigilant in protecting there rights when encountering these checkpoints and stops. It is never necessary to assist the police in there attempts to gather evidence in bringing criminal charges against you, so it is important to understand your rights before these encounters. The Matheson Law Office is vigilant in insuring their clients, and the public in general, are always aware of their constitutionally protected rights.” These "Booze It or Lose It" campaigns, while effective, have the tendency to be more aggressive when it comes to catching drivers operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and it is important that people remain aware of their individual rights under these circumstances.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/Raleigh/Law/prweb11460422.htm