NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. — The Niagara County Sheriff's Office is sharing that ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, they will have increased patrols out on the roads to crack down on impaired driving.
"In a combined effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads. The statewide STOPDWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign efforts start on Wednesday, November 27th and will end on Sunday, December 1st." NCSO wrote in a press release "The Niagara County Sheriff's Office, as well as law enforcement agencies across Niagara County, will be out in force during this coordinated effort to reduce the number of impaired driving-related injuries and deaths."
New York State Police will also be doing the same with increased patrols from now until Sunday, Dec. 1.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “A common threat on our roads that we continually fight is impaired and drunk driving. Traffic enforcement is imperative to everyone’s well-being and the goal of making this holiday a safe one. The New York State Police proudly joins our law enforcement partners in the ongoing effort to discourage, detect, and apprehend impaired and drunk drivers.”
According to NYS Police the average drinking and driving arrest costs up to $10,000. It puts not only the drivers life on the line, but all those other lives at risk who are out on the roads.
The New York State Police, GTSC and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 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 or ride sharing service, 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.
To learn more visit troopers.ny.gov/news/state-police-crack-down
