State Police to Step Up DWI Enforcement over Super Bowl Weekend

As New England and Seattle prepare for the biggest game of the year, New York State Police are preparing for a different kind of event, one dedicated to saving lives.

State police and local law enforcement throughout Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties are increasing patrols around the Hudson Valley in an effort to crack down on drunk drivers this weekend.

Called STOP-DWI, the annual campaign led to nearly 100 impaired driving arrests during the same weekend in 2014 and is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

In addition to increased patrols, the campaign also includes the establishment of sobriety checkpoints around the region.

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“The injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers are completely preventable,” said State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico in a statement. “State Police and our law enforcement partners continue to work to keep drunk drivers off our roads every day. Those celebrating the big game this weekend should do so safely- plan ahead or drive sober. Together, we can save lives and prevent serious injuries.”

From a state police press release about this year’s initiative:

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the number of drinking and driving fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by impaired drivers. During the 2014 campaign, State Police made nearly 100 impaired driving arrests. The campaign will be promoted on variable message boards on highways across the state, including the New York State Thruway, and runs from noon through midnight on Super Bowl Sunday.

An impaired driving conviction carries a maximum fine of $10,000, up to 7 years in prison and license revocation.

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