St. Patrick's Day 'One Of Deadliest' DWI Holidays: Gov

NEW YORK, NY — St. Patrick's Day may be a time for lifting a pint with friends — but New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo said it's also one of the deadliest holidays on the roadways due to DWI-related crashes.

To that end, Cuomo announced Thursday that New York State Police and local law enforcement will conduct a special targeted enforcement detail during the upcoming St. Patrick's Day weekend to crack down on drinking and driving.

The traffic enforcement detail, which is funded through the governor's traffic safety committee, begins on Friday and runs through Monday, according to a release.

Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and underage drinking and sales to minors details during throughout the campaign.

State police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices, Cuomo warned. "If your plans for St. Patrick's Day weekend include alcohol, please make the responsible decision and plan for a safe ride home," Cuomo said. "One bad decision can turn celebration into tragedy, and state and local law enforcement will be out in full force to keep our roadways safe."

During the 2018 St. Patrick's Day weekend enforcement effort, troopers made 243 arrests related to individuals driving while intoxicated — and issued nearly 13,000 tickets, Cuomo said.

State Police Acting Superintendent Keith M. Corlett echoed the warning: "State troopers will be out in force and highly visible this weekend, and as always, will have zero tolerance for drinking and driving. Make safety your number one priority, plan ahead now for a sober ride home, and don't be a risk to yourself or others who are out on the roads."

The St. Patrick's Day holiday period is one of the deadliest holidays due to the number of drunk drivers on the road, Cuomo said.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the holiday period from 2013 to 2017 saw the loss of 234 lives due to drunk-driving related crashes. And in 2017 alone, 59 people, or 37% of all crash fatalities, were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick's Day holiday period, studies indicate.

Between midnight and 5:59 a.m. on March 18, 2017, 75% of crash fatalities nationwide involved a drunk driver, research showed. Drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people each year in the United States — and one person every 53 minutes dies of an alcohol related crash, statistics reveal. Every one of those deaths is preventable, Cuomo said.

Added Mark J.F. Schroeder, acting Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner and acting governor's traffic safety committee chair, said St. Patrick's Day is a great chance to have fun with friends. "But you don't want to end that celebration with a crash, an arrest or by causing harm to yourself or others. Decide before you go out if you will get a taxi or ride share, designate a driver, or stay overnight and then stick to that plan. A one-day celebration should not turn into a lifetime of heartbreak."

"Choosing to drive drunk can ruin or end your life or someone else's," Cuomo said. "This St. Patrick's Day, if you drink and drive, you face jail time, the loss of your license, a higher insurance rate, and dozens of unanticipated expenses."

An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000, he said.

The New York State Police, GTSC and NHTSA offered safety tips:

• Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
• Before you start drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
• If you're impaired, use a taxi or ride-sharing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
• If available, use your community's sober ride program
• Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement. You could save a life.

In addition the governor's traffic safety committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation "Have a Plan" mobile app is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and a way to report a suspected impaired driver, Cuomo said.