RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Program’s St. Patrick’s Day "Booze It & Lose It" campaign ends Monday. 

Since 1994, the campaign has resulted in thousands of DWI charges, many of which come from St. Patrick’s Day. 

According to History.com, St. Patrick’s Day began as a festival held as a celebration on the anniversary of St. Patrick’s death. Christians were allowed to put aside their Lenten restrictions of meat and would drink and dance to celebrate. 

On St. Patrick’s Day, 32% of men and 20% of women report binge drinking on the holiday. 

Over the weekend, the North Carolina Highway Patrol was conducting its "Booze It & Lose It" campaign, one of the programs to eliminate traffic deaths across the state.

“During that campaign, you're going to see law enforcement officers out in mass from Murphy to Manteo. Checking to make sure that impaired drivers are not on our roads and pulling over those who are,” Mark Ezzell, director of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, said. 

The campaign is done around major holidays throughout the year. The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program has other initiatives such as "Click It or Ticket", "BikeSafe NC", "Watch For Me NC", and "Speed a Little, Lose a Lot."

“Last year when we ran this campaign over Saint Patrick's Day, 784 people were charged with DWI,” Ezzell said. “That is far too many. In addition to that, there were 510 felony arrest, as well as almost a thousand people who were wanted for other crimes who were apprehended.” 

Ezzell says the campaign not only goes after impaired drivers but also helps catch other people who may be a danger to us. 

On St. Patrick’s Day, there is a 174% increase in beer sales compared to the rest of the year, according to WalletHub.com. In 2020, 37 people were killed in drunk driving crashes on St. Patrick’s Day, the site said.

“Make a plan before you pick up the drink the first time. It's better to do that when you're sober. The best way is to, [have a] designated driver or get a rideshare,” Emily Ferraro, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in North Carolina, said. 

The Journal of the American Medical Association found the number of impaired vehicle crash traumas decreased by almost 40% thanks to rideshares. 

“Drunk driving deaths are 100% preventable. Don’t get into a car with someone who’s been drinking. Partake in your festivities, but just make a plan to make sure that everybody gets home safe that night,” Ferraro said. 

She also encourages hosts of celebrations to monitor their guests and have a place for someone to stay overnight if needed. 

According to past "Booze It & Lose It" data, Wake and Mecklenburg counties had some of the highest arrest totals. 

The St. Patrick’s Day "Booze It & Lose It" campaign has been running since last week and will end Monday, March 17. 

“Impairment isn't simply an issue of alcohol. It can include illegal drugs or frankly, legal drugs that are appropriate to use but not appropriate to use and then get behind the wheel of a car. Any of those substances, or any combination therein, can get you potentially arrested for impaired driving,” Ezzell said.