Holiday Driving Crackdown Underway In the Hudson Valley

It's the time of year when too much holiday can lead to impaired driving. To combat the perennial problem, the 2017 "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign begins Friday and runs through Dec. 30. New York State Police will also be conducting an enforcement period over New Year's Eve, from Dec. 31 through Jan. 1, 2018.

Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, along with more troopers on roadways during both campaigns.

"The holiday season is among the busiest travel times of the year and with families traveling near and far to visit loved ones, our law enforcement agencies will be redoubling their efforts to crack down on dangerous and impaired drivers," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press release. "I ask all motorists to stay safe, be responsible and obey the rules of the road in order to avoid unnecessary tragedies."

During last year's crackdown, State Police issued 33,153 tickets. Of those tickets more than 11,319 were for speeding, 1,107 were for distracted driving and 421 for the "Move Over Law." There were also 571 people arrested for DWI and 15 people killed in a motor vehicle accident.

In addition to the DWI checkpoints and patrols, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the "Move Over Law," which requires motorists to exercise extreme caution when passing emergency vehicles that are stopped in or on the side of the road. State Police will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide.

As usual, during the campaign troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe distracted driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

"The holidays are a wonderful time of year, and we want New Yorkers to celebrate them responsibly and safely. Don't end the year with a tragedy or an arrest," Terri Egan, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Acting GTSC Chair, said. "Make a plan for how you will get home before you head out for an evening to celebrate with family and friends."

The Have a Plan app can help. The free app from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation allows you to designate a driver, call a cab or ride share, and to review the consequences of impaired driving. You can even use the app to report a drunk or drugged driver. The app is available for Apple, Android, and Windows smart phones.

To keep roads safer this holiday season, the New York State Police and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offer these tips:

• Plan a safe way home before the celebrating begins;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you're impaired, use a taxi or ride sharing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• Use your community's sober ride program;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don't hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.

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