As the summer season winds down, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is once again teaming up with law enforcement agencies across the region for a focused enforcement effort regarding impaired driving. This joint effort is part of the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign, running from Wednesday, August 13th through Labor Day, Monday, September 1st.
The goal: to save lives by preventing the tragedies that too often follow holiday and weekend celebrations. Summer brings with it barbecues, festivals, and family get-togethers. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most dangerous times of year on our roadways. Impaired driving — especially around holiday weekends — continues to be a leading cause of serious crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Whether it’s a cold drink at a cookout or cannabis at a gathering, impairment is impairment. Any substance that affects your ability to safely operate a vehicle puts lives at risk.
While alcohol remains a major concern, this campaign also emphasizes the dangers of driving under the influence of cannabis, illegal drugs, prescription medications, and over-the-counter substances. Driving impaired by any substance is both illegal and potentially deadly. The STOP-DWI campaign features a multi-pronged approach, including increased patrols, education initiatives, and community outreach efforts. Similar high-visibility campaigns are held during other high-risk periods such as Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and the winter holidays.
These coordinated efforts have consistently demonstrated success in reducing crashes and saving lives. This campaign is made possible through the ongoing support of STOP-DWI New York and funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Together, these partnerships empower local agencies to aggressively combat impaired driving and protect the public. Still, the threat remains — and the consequences are too great to ignore. The message is simple. If you plan to drink or use drugs, don’t drive. Plan ahead: Designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or call a taxi/ride-share service. Making the responsible choice could save your life — or someone else’s. Make a Plan. Stay Safe. Save Lives.
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