State Police Campaign to Stop Drunk Driving During Holidays Begins

State Police will be focusing on getting people who drink and drive off the road during the holidays.

The law enforcement agency will participate in the national initiative “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” beginning Friday, Dec. 16 and running through Sunday Jan. 1.

Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, as well as more Troopers on roadways during the campaign.

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 drivers to use caution when passing emergency vehicles stopped in or on the side of the road.

Marked State Police vehicles as well as unmarked vehicles will be used during the campaign, police officials said.

Last year’s crackdown saw more than 32,000 tickets issued, with more than 11,000 for speeding, 810 for distracted driving and 348 for the “Move Over Law.”

There were also 477 people arrested for DWI. Six people were killed in an auto accident.

To keep our 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, 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.

Photo credit: NYSP.