Dutchess County Participating in Statewide STOP-DWI
Holiday Season Crackdown Enforcement
Impaired Driving Crackdown runs Dec. 16th to Jan. 2nd
Poughkeepsie, NY …. Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro announced today police agencies throughout Dutchess County will participate in a special enforcement effort to crack down on impaired driving.
During this season, which often includes public gatherings and parties, the law enforcement community across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI crackdown efforts start on December 16th and will end on January 2nd. New York State Police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.
Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.
County Executive Molinaro said, “While we spend this holiday season celebrating with friends and family and looking forward to the blessings of a new year, we must celebrate responsibly. Please make arrangements so you don’t drive while impaired. One bad decision this season can irrevocably change your life and the lives of others for years to come. The greatest gift you give this holiday season is driving safely without endangering those with whom you share the road.”
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol- and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. In December 2015, drunk driving crashes resulted in 840 unncessary and tragic deaths; over a five-year period, that total reached almost 4,000 deaths. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI crackdown campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.
The STOP-DWI holiday season 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. The Foundation has created a new mobile app, “Have A Plan,” available as a free download for smart phones, to help find safe rides home – no matter where you may be celebrating; go to www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp or visit your app store to download the app.
Dutchess County STOP-DWI Coordinator William Johnson said, “We appreciate the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for its support of this new technology. Whether it’s a sobriety checkpoint or the new mobile app, any means that will take impaired drivers off the road and save residents’ lives is a wise investment. Actions like these send a clear message to those who may drive impaired this holiday season: Highway safety remains a high priority for our law enforcement officials. Throughout Dutchess County, law enforcement will be out in force to identify and apprehend motorists who choose to drive while impaired and risk the safety of fellow drivers.”
