CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- In North Carolina, state and local officers are kicking off the holiday “Booze It & Lose It” campaign Friday.

State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti announced the program will kick off Friday, November 7 and last through Wednesday, January 2.

The campaign is a stepped-up effort to keep impaired drivers off the roads.

“Make the responsible decision to designate a driver if you plan to drink this holiday season,” Conti said.  “The choice you make could save a life.”

During the 2011 campaign, officers charged more than 3,600 North Carolina drivers with DWI.

Even with those stepped-up efforts last year, there were more than 950 alcohol-related crashes across North Carolina. In those wrecks, 44 people were killed and another 702 were hurt.

If you drink – don’t drive.

Copyright 2012 WBTV. All rights reserved.