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N.C. police charge hundreds with impaired driving

Friday, July 10, 2009

(Updated 9:37 pm)

By The Associated Press

RALEIGH — Officials said that hundreds of motorists in North Carolina were cited for driving while impaired during the week leading to the July Fourth holiday.

Gov. Beverly Perdue said more than 1,300 drivers were cited by state and local police officers during a safe driving campaign between June 29 and July 5.

More than 53,000 citations, including those for driving while impaired, were issued during the period across the state. Officers also conducted 4,881 sobriety checkpoints.

The most DWI charges were issued in Mecklenburg, New Hanover and Wake counties.

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jls

July 10, 2009 - 10:09 pm EDT

Some people are just plain stupid.

There was constant reminders by the media that law enforcement would be out looking for idiots and apparently they found more than I thought were in the areas mentioned in this article.

53,000 citations plus!

Let these jerks pay for the states financial problems.

Take their cars, sell them and let the proceeds from the sale go towards the states financial problems.

Make them work 6 months picking up trash along the road side and POW!

Financial problems along with litter problems resolved.

You are welcome Governor.

Thanks

bob99

July 11, 2009 - 11:32 am EDT

That isn't 53,000 impaired drivers. It was 1,300, and that came from 4,881 sobriety checkpoints. And likely some from patrols. Sure that's 1,300 idiots, but that ratio of checkpoints to DUIs is encouraging. It tells us that the money spent to keep drunks off the street that week helped keep us safe.

As for solving the budget woes, 51,700 speeding tickets, revoked tags, and invalid inspections don't do that much good. And you would scream bloody murder if a judge sold your car and assigned you 6 months community service for having any of those minor violations.

jackhartjj

July 11, 2009 - 2:26 pm EDT

Bob, actually that's the whole thing about this...do the math, at just $100.00 court cost, and I'm pretty sure it's more than that...you are talking more than five million in court cost alone, plus that or more in fines!
Don't get me wrong, I feel two DWI's should get you the chair...however pplleeaassee don't tell me this is done in the name of safety...it's all about the money!
I see that all over the country. A couple of weeks ago, west of Atlanta on I-20 there were at least 75 cops writing anything they could...even for 1MPH over! The stupid cops were causing more danger than the public!
Am I anti-cop, no...just anti-write 'em up for the $$$$!

wilbertjr

July 10, 2009 - 10:25 pm EDT

i travel 220 bypass daily and average about 70 mph, and still ,people pass me like im parked , in montgomery and randolph co.

nemrac

July 10, 2009 - 11:30 pm EDT

It's all about the money

beach35

July 10, 2009 - 11:37 pm EDT

So Charlotte, Wilmingon?, and Raleigh. I wouldn't be surprised if alot of people in their 20's were busted. Those checkpoints are scary, not only that being on the roads at night on the fourth or new years eve where probably 90% of the drivers next to me have been drinking, forget about it.

g_stu

July 11, 2009 - 5:37 pm EDT

assumptions... assumptions... assumptions...

ustaxpayer

July 11, 2009 - 12:37 pm EDT

HHHmmm....simple...dont drive intoxicated....dont get citation. I am glad all these people got busted...maybe they will think again before putting other lives in dager because they are stupid and selfish.