ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department, in partnership with the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, has launched its annual “St. Patrick’s Day Booze It & Lose It” campaign.

The statewide traffic enforcement effort is engineered to reduce the dangerous consequences of impaired driving through an increased police presence from Monday, March 16 to midnight on Sunday, March 22.

Last year, the campaign resulted in 783 Driving While Impaired arrests.

“St. Patrick’s Day celebrations often involve gatherings at local venues and, sometimes, excessive drinking. We urge you to prioritize safety and responsibility this year: always use a designated sober driver, utilize rideshare options and never operate a vehicle while impaired,” APD wrote in a press release. “By working together, we can ensure safer roads for everyone and prevent the tragic loss of life.”

For more information, visit  www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/booze-it-lose-it/.