From Dec. 4, 2009 through Jan. 3, 2010 the Columbus Police Department, in cooperation with the N.C. Governors Highway Safety Program and other law enforcement agencies across the state, participated in the Booze It & Lose It highway safety campaign.

During this period, the department said Columbus officers arrested 11 impaired drivers and cited 31 speeders, two uninsured motorists, two reckless drivers, and four individuals for driving while licensed revoked. During the same period, the department transported 17 prisoners, apprehended three wanted individuals, and made one felony arrest. Four drug violations and 17 other criminal violations were also charged.

No other criminal offense is responsible for as many deaths and injuries or as much property damage than driving while impaired, N.C. officials say. Impaired drivers injure or kill a person every minute in the United States.&bsp; North Carolina ranks 7th in the nation for DWI related deaths, and 31 percent of fatal crashes were determined to be alcohol related.

The Columbus Police Department says it wishes everyone a happy and safe new year and reminds everyone to always buckle up, obey the speed limit and never drink and drive.