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Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said Wednesday Dutchess County police agencies will participate in a special enforcement effort to crack down on impaired driving. The statewide STOP-DWI crackdown efforts for the Halloween weekend start on Friday, Oct. 27 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 1.
New York State Police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force. While many will spend time trick-or-treating and hosting parties with friends and loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives.
“If you plan on celebrating Halloween, please do so responsibly and plan for a safe ride home," Molinaro said. "The consequences of drinking and driving are too high, and the safety of our children who are trick-or-treating and your fellow motorists is our paramount concern. Impaired driving is wholly preventable and not worth the risk.”
Research shows high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.
“The focus of the high visibility campaign is to simply send a clear message to drivers that impaired driving is taken seriously, and highway safety remains a priority of law enforcement," said Dutchess County STOP-DWI Coordinator William Johnson.
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