Special to Iredell Free News

The Mooresville Police Department, Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Highway Patrol, N.C. Carolina Wildlife Commission, and other agencies will hold a DWI and impaired driving awareness event to kick off the summer season safely.

The event will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, at 4 p.m. at the Pinnacle Boat Access area, located at 1556 River Highway in Mooresville.

A BAT Mobile Unit—a mobile DWI processing center—will be on display along with representatives from local, regional, and state law enforcement agencies to provide safety information and resources.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 37 people die each day in the U.S. in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes. In addition to the risk of injury or death, motorists driving impaired risk facing jail time, losing their driving privileges, and paying an average of $10,000 in fines, towing fees and other expenses. Buzzed driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.

In addition to alcohol impairment, drug-impaired driving may also result in DWI charges. The NHTSA encourages motorists to remember if you feel different then you will drive different. Keep yourself and others safe by choosing a sober driver.

Safely operating a vehicle also extends to the waterways. During the summer season, law enforcement will increase patrols on local waterways including Lake Norman. Boaters are encouraged to follow watercraft safety protocols and not operate a watercraft while impaired.