Super Bowl Sunday DWI Crackdown Planned Statewide

NEW YORK — New York State police and local law enforcement will join forces for a statewide Super Bowl weekend DWI crackdown, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Police will also be on the lookout for impaired and reckless driving, Cuomo said.

The STOP-DWI campaign will include underage drinking enforcement, along with increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to "deter, identify, and arrest impaired drivers," Cuomo said.

The enforcement initiative is funded by the Governor's traffic safety committee, Cuomo said.

"The Super Bowl is one of the most popular events of the year, and we encourage New Yorkers to enjoy it responsibly," Cuomo said. "If you will be drinking, don't get behind the wheel. New York has zero tolerance for impaired driving, and state police will be out in force this weekend to ensure everyone has a safe ride home."

During the 2017 Super Bowl DWI enforcement, state police arrested 110 people charged with impaired driving and issued more than 4,098 total tickets, Cuomo said.

The Super Bowl Weekend campaign will be promoted on message boards on highways statewide, beginning on Saturday and running through Monday at 4 a.m.

"Make the winning decision on Super Bowl weekend and don't get behind the wheel if you've been drinking," said New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II. "Driving while impaired can result in tragic consequences for you, your passengers and others on the road. . . Those celebrating the big game this weekend should do so safely by planning ahead or driving sober. Together, we can save lives and prevent serious injuries."

Officials urged Super Bowl revelers to have a plan for either a designated driver, a taxi, or a ride-sharing service.

"There is no excuse for driving while you are impaired by alcohol or drugs," said DMV Executive Deputy Commissioner and Acting Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Chair Terri Egan said.

Alcohol remains a deadly danger on the road: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2016, 10,497 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes. And, according to information reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28 people die each day in alcohol-related vehicle crashes — one person every 50 minutes.

Cuomo's office also suggest that those hosting a party designate a responsible driver in advance to help guests get home safely, or help to arrange rides with sober drivers. Hosts that don't drink should offer to drive guests home, and should also serve food and non-alcoholic beverages at the event, Cuomo's office said. Hosts are also urged to stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter, a good time to serve coffee and dessert; and to sign up online for a ride-sharing service, keep the phone numbers of local cab companies onhand, and take the keys away from any guests who are thinking of driving after drinking.

"Remember, if you serve a guest alcohol and he or she gets in a crash that night, you could be held liable," a release from Cuomo's office said. "If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent or guardian can be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver."

In addition, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation's "Have a Plan" mobile app is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. The app helps New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list; it also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, as well as ways to report a suspected impaired driver, according to Cuomo.

Patch file photo.