New York State Police Enforcing 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' Campaign Through Labor Day

New York State Troopers are cracking down on drunk or impaired drivers this month as they participate in the national ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ campaign. The enforcement period runs through September 1, 2014,

Troopers see increased travel and alcohol consumption during the Labor Day weekend, resulting in increased accidents, serious injuries and fatalities. The goal of the New York State Police’s participation in this program is to maximize DWI enforcement efforts to ensure safety on the highways and decreased injuries and deaths.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people each year. In 2012, one person was killed every 51 minutes in an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident. Over the Labor Day Weekend of 2013, State Police made 180 DWI arrests and issued over 9,000 traffic tickets.

Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said in a press release, “Our goal during this campaign is to step up our enforcement efforts to ensure we can take intoxicated and drug impaired drivers off our roadways before they injure or kill other motorists and their passengers. Year-round our members work to reduce drunk driving crashes and promote traffic safety. We can always do more to make our roads safer for New Yorkers.”

Major Robin H. Benziger said, “Labor Day weekend is a time of relaxation and fun. Make sure your end of summer celebration is a safe one - if you drink, don’t drive.“

Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and more State Troopers on major highways during this campaign. During this time, State Troopers will also be doing seatbelt checks, watching for distracted drivers and looking out for drivers who are violating the “Move Over Law.”

As of Jan. 1, 2012 the “Move Over Law” was established to protect law enforcement officers, emergency workers, tow and service vehicle operators and other maintenance workers who are stopped on roadways while performing their work. On all roads and highways, drivers must slow down when approaching an emergency vehicle that displays red and/or white emergency lights. On highways with multiple lanes, drivers must move from the lane immediately adjacent to the emergency or hazard vehicle when approaching an emergency vehicle that displays flashing lights.