Poughkeepsie … Law-enforcement agencies throughout Dutchess County will participate in a special enforcement effort to crack down on impaired driving during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, beginning Friday, March 15th and concluding Sunday, March 17th. Various municipal law enforcement agencies will join agencies across the state in this coordinated effort to target those who put lives in danger.
Research shows high-visibility community engagement campaigns can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. The St. Patrick’s Day crackdown is one of many statewide high visibility community engagement campaigns promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association. In addition to this crackdown, statewide STOP-DWI engagement campaigns also target Super Bowl Sunday, Memorial Day Weekend, July 4th, Labor Day Weekend, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the holiday season in December.
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 stopdwi.org/mobileapp.