Suffolk DWI Arrests Have Spiked By 200% With Crackdown In 2023's 1st Q: Sheriff

YAPHANK, NY — Drunken driving arrests have increased by 200 percent and traffic infractions by 100 percent in the first quarter of 2023, officials said Thursday. The rise came after the Suffolk sheriff's office increased enforcement efforts with its Sheriff's Proactive Impaired Driver Reduction Effort, known as SPIDRE.

In the first quarter of 2023, there were 45 DWI arrests, 275 traffic tickets issued, and 25 other arrests, according to a department spokeswoman.

There were 15 DWI arrests, 126 traffic tickets, and 13 other arrests in the first quarter of 2022, she said.

Some of the other arrests included charges for four stolen vehicles, one for an outstanding warrant, and reckless driving, according to a news release.

Seven people were also charged with Aggravated DWI, which indicates a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.18 and higher.

Sheriff Errol Toulon said that his office has increased DWI enforcement efforts in 2023 and it will "continue to crack down on impaired driving."

"These arrests have undoubtedly prevented tragedies from occurring on our roadways. Our highly trained DWI Enforcement Team will continue to be on the lookout for drunk and drugged drivers to keep our streets safe," he said.

SPIDRE is a grant-funded unit comprised of specially-trained deputies, including drug recognition experts. Since 2015, it has made over 1,000 drunk or drugged driving-related arrests.