{"id":66233,"date":"2016-03-12T05:36:51","date_gmt":"2016-03-12T10:36:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=66233"},"modified":"2016-03-11T19:40:09","modified_gmt":"2016-03-12T00:40:09","slug":"state-police-announce-stop-dwi-crackdown-this-st-patricks-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madisoncountycourier.com\/?p=66233","title":{"rendered":"State Police announce STOP DWI crackdown this St. Patrick\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"unnamed\"<\/a>The New York State Police and local law enforcement will initiate special traffic enforcement efforts as St. Patrick\u2019s Day celebrations get underway starting this weekend. The effort will begin on Saturday, March 12, and runs through Thursday, March 17.<\/p>\n

Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, underage drinking and sales to minors details during the campaign. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices.<\/p>\n

New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D\u2019Amico said, \u201cThe State Police urge everyone to have a plan this St. Patrick\u2019s Day. If you plan on drinking, designate a sober driver. A day of celebrating can quickly turn to tragedy because of impaired driving. Help us to keep New York\u2019s roads the safest in the nation by planning ahead to stay safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the 2015 St. Patrick\u2019s Day weekend enforcement effort, Troopers made 264 arrests for DWI and issued more than 14,000 tickets.<\/p>\n

St. Patrick\u2019s Day is one of the deadliest holidays due to the number of drunk drivers on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), The St. Patrick\u2019s Day holiday period from 2010 to 2014 saw the loss of 266 lives nationally due to drunk-driving crashes.<\/p>\n

In 2014, alone, 29 people (28% of all crash fatalities) were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick\u2019s Day holiday period.<\/p>\n

Drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people each year in our country, and every one of those deaths is preventable.<\/p>\n

Choosing to drive drunk can ruin or end your life or someone else\u2019s. This St. Patrick\u2019s Day, if you drink and drive, you face jail time, the loss of your license, a higher insurance rate, and dozens of unanticipated expenses. An impaired driving charge carries a maximum fine of $10,000.
\nThe effort is funding by the Governor\u2019s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).<\/p>\n

The New York State Police, the GTSC and the NHTSA ask you to commit to following these easy steps, so you can enjoy a safe holiday without jeopardizing lives on the road.<\/p>\n