Governor Hochul Announces Increased Impaired Driving Patrols for St. Patrick’s Day

Governor Kathy Hochul immediately introduced that state and native legislation enforcement businesses throughout New York can be stepping up patrols and focusing on impaired driving earlier than, throughout and after St. Patrick’s Day. The enforcement marketing campaign will run from Wednesday, March 16, 2022, by way of Sunday, March 20, 2022. This security initiative is designed to cut back alcohol and drug-related visitors crashes and save lives. It’s sponsored by STOP-DWI with funding from the Governor’s Site visitors Security Committee (GTSC). 

“All of us love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with household and associates, so ensure you’re celebrating safely this yr,” Governor Hochul mentioned. “I encourage all New Yorkers to plan for a secure journey dwelling, so you’ll be able to  get pleasure from your celebration with out endangering your self and others.”

Through the 2021 marketing campaign, legislation enforcement all through the state issued 47,349 tickets for automobile and visitors legislation violations, together with 1,403 arrests for DWI. Full breakdown right here:

New York DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder mentioned, “St. Patrick’s Day celebrations must be joyous and enjoyable. Don’t let that be ruined by making the reckless determination to drive impaired. Impaired driving places you and all these sharing the highway at risk. All the time have a plan to get dwelling safely.”

 New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen mentioned, “The State Police urges everybody to have a plan this St. Patrick’s Day. There’s nothing incorrect with celebrating so long as you accomplish that responsibly. If you’re consuming, don’t get behind the wheel — plan forward and make preparations for a secure journey dwelling. There’s merely no excuse to get behind the wheel for those who’re impaired. At some point of celebrating can shortly flip to tragedy due to impaired driving.”

 Chief of Ilion PD and President of the New York State Affiliation of Chiefs of Police Timothy Parisi mentioned, “Chiefs of Police throughout the state are reminding motorists to plan forward to make use of alternate technique of transportation if consuming alcohol can be a part of your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Dangerous selections could cause tragic penalties! Assist us hold our roadways secure, please drive sober.”

 Livingston County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Affiliation Thomas Dougherty mentioned, “Should you drive impaired the luck of the Irish won’t be with you.  The Sheriffs of New York State need you to get pleasure from St. Patrick’s Day and the return of good climate however accomplish that with a plan to not drive impaired.  Deputies can be able to take away impaired drivers from the highway and hold all vacationers secure.” 

The STOP-DWI program is a serious element of New York’s efforts to fight impaired driving. STOP-DWI stands for “Particular Site visitors Choices Program for Driving Whereas Intoxicated.” This system’s efforts are funded from fines paid by convicted impaired drivers. Importantly, this system’s coordinators are comprised of various skilled backgrounds, together with legislation enforcement and non-law enforcement.

 Beneath GTSC oversight, STOP-DWI was created to empower counties to coordinate native efforts to cut back alcohol and different drug-related visitors crashes. All 62 counties have opted to take part. Some examples of applications that STOP-DWI funds embody specifically educated police items devoted to DWI enforcement, hiring of particular prosecutors and probation officers to deal with the caseload, monitoring ignition interlock units, supporting rehabilitation companies, and creating public data and training campaigns tailor-made to communities inside their respective areas. To study extra, go to http://www.stopdwi.org/.

Along with STOP-DWI, the GTSC helps coaching for Drug Recognition Consultants (DRE). DREs are specifically educated officers utilized by legislation enforcement when a driver seems to be impaired, however police have dominated out alcohol because the trigger or sole reason for impairment. A DRE receives intensive coaching that has been accredited by the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration and the Worldwide Affiliation of Chiefs of Police. The coaching permits officers to look at and doc indicators and indicators of impairment inside every of seven drug classes together with illicit and pharmaceuticals.

The GTSC additionally coordinates varied visitors security actions all year long and helps ongoing initiatives to enhance pedestrian, bike and bicycle security. The GTSC additionally sponsors vital coaching for legislation enforcement, offers sources for teen drivers and their dad and mom, and promotes seatbelt use statewide.

 New Yorkers combating an dependancy, or whose family members are struggling, can discover assist 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 (Brief Code 467369).

Out there dependancy therapy together with disaster/detox, inpatient, group residence, or outpatient care might be discovered utilizing the NYS OASAS Therapy Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or by way of the NYS OASAS website.

For extra details about GTSC, go to https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/, or comply with the GTSC dialog at Facebook and Twitter.

 For extra details about DMV, go to dmv.ny.gov, or comply with the DMV dialog on-line at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.