STOP-DWI Memorial Day Crackdown Underway in New York

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The STOP-DWI Memorial Day Crackdown is underway. Historically, holiday festivities mean more impaired driving and drinking related crashes, resulting in injuries and deaths on New York roadways. So the New York State Police, county sheriffs, and local law enforcement agencies across the state go on heightened alert looking for impaired drivers with increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints.

“We want to urge those who will be celebrating the holiday to make arrangements for getting home safely from parties, such as using taxis or designated drivers,” said Putnam County Sheriff Donald Smith.

This year the statewide initiative ends May 30.

Memorial Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year and police will be out in force to remove impaired and reckless drivers from our highways, state police said.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug- related fatalities, too many lives are still being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible and highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce fatalities caused by drunken driving by as much as 20 percent.

“Memorial Day marks the official start of summer, the season for trips to the beach, backyard barbecues, Holy Communion parties and weddings, and other festive gatherings,” said Kent (New York) Police Chief Alex Divernieri, “but, these activities can all too often result in some people overindulging in alcohol and then getting behind the wheel of a car."

The STOP-DWI Memorial Day Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation.

Last year, the Foundation unveiled a GPS enabled smart phone app called “Have a Plan” that helps users find safe rides home wherever the need may arise. The app is available as a free download for smart phone uses through the support of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Smart phone users may access the app at www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp or at their app store.