Governor Cuomo Announces Crackdown on Drunk and Impaired Driving Through Labor Day Weekend
State Police and Local Law Enforcement Will Implement “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign from August 18 to September 5
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently directed State Police to ramp up enforcement
efforts as part of a national crackdown on impaired driving through Labor
Day weekend, one of the deadliest times of year for drunk and drugged
driving fatalities. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which
begins statewide on August 18 and ends September 5, will be carried out
with assistance from local law enforcement and aims to reduce deaths and
injuries caused by motorists driving drunk or impaired by drugs.
“Drunk drivers are a danger to themselves and others, and law enforcement
is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on the road,”
Governor Cuomo said. “Impaired driving is a reckless and dangerous crime with potentially
fatal consequences, and I urge New Yorkers to drive responsibly to avoid
senseless tragedies.”
Impaired driving is a major contributor to crash fatalities. One-third
of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers.
In New York State, alcohol involvement was listed as a contributing factor
in more than 7,000 police-reported crashes in 2015, while illegal drugs
contributed to more than 800 crashes. Additionally, impaired-driving crashes
cost the United States $44 billion each year. The penalties for impaired
driving are accordingly strict. Drivers convicted of DWI or DWAI three
or more times in 15 years face a Class D felony charge, up to seven years
in prison, and a fine up to $10,000.
Terri Egan, Acting Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair and
Department of Motor Vehicles Executive Deputy Commissioner said, “There is never an excuse to drive after drinking or while impaired
by drugs or alcohol. It is selfish, irresponsible, and unnecessary, and
can have tragic effects not only on drivers, but on innocent victims on
the roads. Have a plan before you go out, enlist friends to help, and
remember that law enforcement will see you before you see them.”
In New York State, impaired driving enforcement campaigns are funded by
the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and STOP-DWI, a comprehensive
and financially self-sustaining highway safety program that allows participating
counties to qualify for the return of all fines collected within their
county for alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses. The Governor’s
Traffic Safety Committee supports statewide enforcement and education
in conjunction with national crackdowns, and uses federal funds to support
impaired driving projects, in addition to supplementing the resources
available for statewide enforcement efforts. These include statewide public
information campaigns, training programs, multi-agency advisory groups,
research studies and projects to enhance state agency programs.
Crackdown periods coincide with times when large numbers of impaired drivers
are likely to be on the roadways, including Halloween, the winter holiday
season, the Super Bowl, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, and Labor Day. Last year, 41 counties participated in the “Drive
Sober or Get Pulled Over” Labor Day crackdown, resulting in 237
DWI/DWAI arrests, 17 Drug Recognition Expert Evaluations, 26 DWAI-drug
only arrests, 317 other arrests, and more than 3,400 Vehicle and Traffic
Law summonses.
New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Every year there are needless tragedies and a wake of victims
left behind because of the decisions made by impaired drivers. Through
education and enforcement, the New York State Police work to keep these
drivers off the road. Through campaigns like Drive Sober or Get Pulled
Over, we remind people of the dangers of drinking and driving. Together,
we can keep New York State's roads among the safest in the nation.”
Peter R. Kehoe, Executive Director of the New York State Sheriffs’
Association said, “Each year, on average, more than 10,000 people die on our roadways
due to drunk driving. Just consider all of the lost talent, lost love
and companionship for family and friends, lost contributions toward a
better society, lost opportunities to live and grow – all because
some people made bad choices to drink and drive, and snuffed out all that
potential. It’s a tragedy all around, that doesn’t have to
be.”
Margaret E. Ryan, Executive Director of the New York State Association
of Chiefs of Police said, “Drunk driving is neither an accident nor a victimless crime. Each
year, thousands of lives are lost as a result of motorists operating vehicles
while their ability is impaired. That is why the New York State Association
of Chiefs of Police fully supports continued specialized training and
high-visibility enforcement efforts by our law enforcement professionals
that will help deter and remove impaired drivers from our highways and
reduce needless fatalities. Along with GTSC and our law enforcement partners,
we will make every effort to ensure our roadways are safe for all travelers
throughout the year, and especially during this upcoming holiday weekend.”
Drunk driving is often a symptom of a larger problem: alcohol misuse and
abuse. New Yorkers can find help for addiction and hope by calling the
state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY
(1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). Addiction treatment providers
can be located on the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance
Abuse Services Access Help
website or on the Treatment Availability
Dashboard. For additional tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing
underage drinking or drug use, visit the state’s Talk2Prevent
website.
NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said, “I applaud Governor Cuomo and our partner agencies for their efforts
to keep all drivers safe on the road. Addiction is a chronic disease,
but it is treatable. I urge any New Yorker struggling with drugs or alcohol
to get help so they can begin a new, healthy life in recovery.”