The New York State Police and local law enforcement will initiate special traffic enforcement efforts as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations get underway starting this weekend. The effort will begin on Saturday and will run through Thursday — St. Patrick’s Day.
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.
New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “The State Police urge everyone to have a plan this St. Patrick’s 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’s roads the safest in the nation by planning ahead to stay safe.”
During the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day weekend enforcement effort, Troopers made 264 arrests for DWI and issued more than 14,000 tickets.
St. Patrick’s 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’s Day holiday period from 2010 to 2014 saw the loss of 266 lives nationally due to drunk-driving crashes.
In 2014, alone, 29 people (28% of all crash fatalities) were killed in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period.
Drunk driving kills more than 10,000 people each year in our country, and every one of those deaths is preventable.
Choosing to drive drunk can ruin or end your life or someone else’s. This St. Patrick’s 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.
The effort is funding by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).
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.
- Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
- Before you start drinking, 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 available, use your community’s sober ride program
- Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement. You could save a life.
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