(Wampsville, NY – Nov. 2015) Madison County Sheriff Allen Riley recently announced that Madison County law enforcement agencies will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.
On the night before Thanksgiving, friends and family reunite, celebrate, and kick off the holiday. However, it’s also become known as “Blackout Wednesday,” the start to a dangerous weekend, with more drunk drivers out on the road.
Law enforcement officers 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 Nov. 25 and will end on Nov. 29. New York State Police, County Sheriff 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.
“Whether you are celebrating the holiday at home, a family or friend’s home, at a local restaurant, or attending any of the many holiday season kick-off activities that will be taking place, if you plan on using alcohol, never drive while impaired—and never let your friends drive if you think they are impaired,” said Sheriff Riley.
The STOP-DWI Thanksgiving Weekend 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. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target the national Holiday Season in December.
Sheriff Riley recommends the following easy steps, for a safe holiday:
Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
Before drinking, please designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home;
If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely;
If you happen to see or suspect a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact your local law enforcement;
And remember, 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 where they are going safely.
“Driving impaired is simply not worth the risk,” said Sheriff Riley. “Not only do you risk killing or injuring yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant.”
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. It is significant to note that in 2012, 416 motorists died in traffic crashes during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, the highest toll of deaths for any holiday weekend period. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!