Poughkeepsie… Various police agencies throughout Dutchess County will participate in a special enforcement effort to crack down on impaired driving to coincide with the national July 4th holiday. The statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign effort starts on Friday, June 30th and will end on Wednesday, July 5th.
Municipal law enforcement agencies will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths during this period.
Nationwide, July 4th is the second-deadliest holiday for drivers and passengers on U.S. roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2017 and 2021, there were 1,460 drivers killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes over the Fourth of July holiday period; 38 percent of those motorists killed were intoxicated.
The July 4th Weekend Engagement Campaign is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the STOP-DWI Foundation with a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. In addition to this crackdown, statewide STOP-DWI engagement campaigns also target Super Bowl Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the December holiday season.
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Community Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.
Drivers can help to make a difference by having a sober plan! Motorists can download the mobile app, “Have a Plan,” and be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp.
