ALBANY — A statewide crackdown on DWI begins today and runs through Sept. 5, according to New York State Police and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign 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,” Gov. 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.
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.
