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State Police to Crack Down on Impaired Driving During
Upcoming Fourth of July Holiday
Published: June 30, 2023 at
02:30 p.m.
By: Press Release from New York State Police
State Police to
crack down on impaired driving during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday
30 June 2023
NEW YORK STATE
POLICE
Steven A. Nigrelli
Acting
Superintendent
Deanna Cohen
Assistant Director of Public Information
(518) 457-2180
PRESS RELEASE
The New York
State Police will increase patrols to crack down on drunk and drugged
driving and other traffic infractions over the Fourth of July holiday. This
special enforcement period will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 30, 2023,
and run through 3 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.
New York State
Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli
said, “The Fourth of July is known for its fun and fireworks, but
New Yorkers should remember fun can turn fatal if you don’t make the right
decision. Troopers will be out in force and highly visible this holiday
weekend, on the lookout for impaired, drugged, and reckless drivers who put
others’ lives in danger. Remember, put down the phone, drive sober, follow
the rules of the road, and responsibly enjoy your time with family and
friends.”
Mark J.F.
Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety
Committee, said, “One of the great ways to celebrate your
independence is never to get into a vehicle with an impaired driver or let
a friend drive who is impaired. Let’s all honor our nation’s birthdate with
common-sense steps to get to our destinations safely: make sure all
passengers are properly secured, keep to the speed limit, avoid
distractions like cell phone usage, and make a plan
to stay, get a ride or have a designated driver if you will be drinking
alcoholic beverages.”
During this
enforcement period, drivers can expect to encounter sobriety checkpoints
and DWI patrols. Troopers will also be looking for motorists who are using
their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers
should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard
vehicles when they travel New York roadways.
Troopers will be
using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic
Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles
allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld
devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but
are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is
activated.
During last
year’s Fourth of July enforcement period, Troopers issued 11,873 total
tickets, arrested 187 people for DWI and investigated 775 crashes,
including two fatalities.
The Fourth of
July initiative is partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).
The GTSC and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that
their “Have a Plan” mobile
app, is available for Apple, Droid and Windows
smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or
rideshare service and program a designated driver list. It also provides
information on DWI laws and penalties, and
provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver.
If you drive
drunk or drugged, you not only put your life and the lives of others at
risk, you could face arrest, jail time, and
substantial fines and attorney fees. The average drinking and driving
arrest costs up to $10,000.
Arrested drunk
and drugged drivers face the loss of their driver’s license, higher
insurance rates, and dozens of unanticipated expenses from attorney fees,
fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost time at work.
The New York
State Police, and GTSC recommend these simple tips to prevent impaired
driving:
- Plan a safe way home before the
fun begins;
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober
friend or family member, or use public transportation;
- Use your community’s sober ride program;
- If you suspect a driver is drunk or impaired
on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
- If you know someone who is about to drive or
ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other
arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
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