(Photo Source: NYSP)
Press release from governor.ny.gov.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that state and local law enforcement agencies across New York will be stepping up patrols and targeting impaired driving during the Super Bowl weekend. The enforcement campaign will run from Friday, February 11, 2022, through Monday, February 14, 2022. This safety initiative is designed to reduce alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. It is sponsored by STOP-DWI with funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.
"As we prepare to travel and get together with friends and family for an exciting Super Bowl Weekend, we are deploying law enforcement to make road travel as safe as possible," Governor Hochul said. "Be sure to kick off the weekend by planning ahead for a safe ride home and avoid the costly and possibly deadly consequences of drinking and driving."
During the 2021 campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued 26,127 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 846 arrests for DWI. Full breakdown here:
(Graphic from governor.ny.gov).
New York DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "Like most Buffalonians, I hoped to be rooting for my hometown team, the Buffalo Bills, during this Super Bowl, but even though New York won't be represented on the field, that won't stop New Yorkers from celebrating. Our hope is that everyone does their part to keep our roads safe. Be the MVP during Super Bowl weekend by driving responsibly or planning for a safe ride home."
State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, "The New York State Police wants everyone to enjoy Super Bowl weekend - but please do so responsibly. Driving while impaired can result in tragic consequences for you, your passengers and others on the road. As always, Troopers will be looking out for reckless and impaired drivers. If your celebrations include alcohol, please plan ahead for a safe ride home. No one wins when someone makes the choice to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired."
Chief of Ilion PD and President of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police Timothy Parisi said, "Our member agencies support and will actively participate in this statewide effort. Officers will be vigilant throughout the enforcement initiative and beyond for impaired drivers on our roadways. We encourage you to be responsible. Don't place yourself and others at risk."
Livingston County Sheriff and President of the New York State Sheriffs' Association Thomas Dougherty said, "There will be some good plays in the Super Bowl and there will be some bad plays. The worst play you can make is driving impaired. You could put yourself, your passengers, and others in danger. The Sheriffs of New York State want you to enjoy the Super Bowl and have a plan to not drive impaired."
A major component of New York's efforts to combat impaired driving is the STOP-DWI program. STOP-DWI stands for "Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated." The state's STOP-DWI program is the nation's first self-sustaining program to help prevent impaired driving. The program is funded from fines paid by convicted impaired drivers. Importantly, the program's coordinators are comprised of diverse professional backgrounds, including law enforcement and non-law enforcement.
The STOP-DWI program was created to empower counties to coordinate local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. All 62 counties have opted to participate. Some examples of programs funded by STOP-DWI are: specially trained police units dedicated to DWI enforcement, hiring of special prosecutors and probation officers to handle the caseload, monitoring ignition interlock devices, supporting rehabilitation services, and developing public information and education campaigns tailored to communities within their respective regions. To learn more, visit http://www.stopdwi.org/.
In addition to STOP-DWI, the GTSC supports training for Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). DREs are specially trained officers utilized by law enforcement when a driver appears to be impaired, but police have ruled out alcohol as the cause or sole cause of impairment. A DRE receives extensive training that has been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The training allows officers to observe and document signs and indicators of impairment within each of seven drug categories including illicit and prescription drugs.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help 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 (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.
For more information about GTSC, visit https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/, or follow the GTSC conversation at Facebook and Twitter.
For more information about DMV, visit dmv.ny.gov, or follow the DMV conversation online on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
