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Law enforcement officials noted that, historically, holiday festivities usually gives rise to increased incidents of impaired driving and drinking related crashes, resulting in injuries and deaths on New York roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nationally there was an increase in DWI related highway fatalities in 2015 as compared to 2014, which ended a five-decades-long trend of decreasing fatality rates.
In Dutchess County, law enforcement agencies have participated as part of a statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown that began earlier this month and lasts through Monday, Sept. 4. Other holidays that are targeted for extra patrols include St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, the holiday season, Halloween and Thanksgiving.
In a statement, Dutchess County Legislator Kenneth Roman said, “Heading into the busy Labor Day weekend, we remind all motorists to simply drive sober or face the consequences. I acknowledge the dedication and efforts of our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to ensure safety on our roadways. This enforcement effort is another reminder impaired driving is entirely preventable and certainly not worth the risks.”
Officials noted that during the upcoming holiday weekend, state police, members of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office and municipal law enforcement agencies will be “out in force.”
“These ongoing enforcement efforts reaffirm Dutchess County’s commitment to identify, apprehend, and prosecute impaired drivers,” Dutchess County STOP-DWI coordinator William Johnson added. “The crackdown campaign is a coordinated, purposeful effort to promote community awareness, and apprehend those that chose to violate the law.”
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