POUGHKEEPSIE, NY ... Law-enforcement agencies across Dutchess County will once again take part in an enforcement initiative aimed at preventing impaired driving during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period. The coordinated campaign begins Thursday, March 12 and runs through Wednesday, March 18, with agencies focusing on identifying and stopping drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, helping keep local roadways safe for everyone.
Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, “If you plan to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, please make arrangements for a safe ride home. We appreciate how hard our local officers work every day to protect us all in Dutchess County. During this holiday period, they will be especially focused on keeping our roads safe by preventing impaired driving.”
Historically, St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are associated with an increase in alcohol-related crashes nationwide. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows hundreds of lives have been lost in impaired-driving crashes during the holiday period in recent years. Public safety campaigns that combine strong enforcement with community awareness have been shown to significantly reduce these incidents.
Everyone can play a role in keeping roads safe: Drivers are encouraged to designate a sober driver, use ride-share services or arrange another safe way home if they plan to drink; motorists are also urged to report suspected impaired drivers to local law enforcement when it is safe to do so.
The St. Patrick’s Day enforcement effort is part of a series of high-visibility enforcement campaigns held throughout the year, conducted around major holidays and events, including Super Bowl weekend, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the winter holiday season.
Through partnerships with municipal police departments and state agencies, such as STOP-DWI New York, Dutchess County continues to support enforcement and education efforts that help prevent impaired driving and protect the safety of residents and visitors alike.
Motorists can download the mobile app, “Have a Plan,” and be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp.
