St. Patrick’s Day festivities this upcoming weekend are expected to make New York State abuzz with parties and parades. In preparation for these celebrations, State Police have publicized their plans to enhance DWI patrols and checkpoints starting Friday. This move forms part of the annual “STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign” by the State Troopers wherein patrol cars and checkpoints against drink driving see a surge on specific holidays or dates of anticipated heavy drinking.
The campaign for St. Patrick’s Day will be effective from Friday, March 15th, and will last until Sunday, March 17th. Over the weekend, the presence of additional patrol cars and DWI checkpoints across the state will be noticeable.
The “STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign” will also increase DWI patrols and checkpoints on other key dates and holidays. This includes April 19-21, 2024 (“420” dates), Memorial Day, and during the “100 Days of Summer” – specifically on June 6-9, June 13-16, June 20-23, June 27-30, July 11-14, July 18-21, July 25-28, August 1-4, and August 8-11. They will also focus on the end of summer, from August 14 – September 2, 2024.
To highlight the importance of these precautions, data from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that St. Patrick’s Day weekend is among the deadliest for drivers across the country. Since 2017, over 270 fatalities have been attributed to drunk driving during this period.
Authorities advise the public to choose designated drivers or use ride-share services like Uber or Lyft for a safe ride home during this weekend’s festivities.
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