The Highway Patrol plans checkpoints and stepped up patrols that will specifically be looking for impaired drivers.
"Law enforcement officers will intensify their efforts to catch impaired drivers during this time to help keep our families safe," said Easley.
He says alcohol-related traffic crashes are likely to occur when more motorists are on the road traveling to and from holiday parties.
Between Dec. 1, 2007 and Jan. 4, 2008, 165 North Carolina motorists were involved in fatal traffic crashes, with 49 alcohol-related fatalities.
