RALEIGH — Halloween is a time for making memories, not causing nightmares.

The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program is partnering with state and local law enforcement during the annual Booze It & Lose It campaign, which runs now through Tuesday, reminding Halloween partiers to make a plan to get home safely.

“It’s so important to make a plan before heading out to the Halloween festivities,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program. “Even one drink can impair judgment. This is why it’s essential to have a plan for how you’ll safely get home after your night of partying.”

During last year’s Halloween Booze It & Lose It campaign, there were 17 crashes involving impaired drivers and five fatalities. So far in 2017, there have been 1,095 fatalities statewide, including 259 alcohol-related deaths, which is down 16 percent over last year.

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program recommends following these simple tips for a safe Halloween if you plan to drink:

• Before you put on your costume, visit BeSmarterThanThat.com and plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night. Designate a sober driver, download a ride app, check on public transportation availability or program a taxi number into your mobile phone.
• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to get you home.
• While driving, be cautious behind the wheel on Halloween night, particularly in residential areas where children may be trick-or-treating.
• If you see an impaired driver, call 911.
• If you know someone who is about to drive impaired, take the keys and help the person make safe travel arrangements.