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Don't test your luck: New York State Police to crack down on impaired driving for St. Patrick’s Day weekend

Published on March 17, 2023

State Police Car

You might get lucky and get away with it - but authorities are warning drivers not to test their luck while behind the wheel.

With that being said, the New York State Police in announcing their annual St. Patrick's Day/weekend crackdown on drunk, impaired, and reckless driving as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations get underway starting this weekend.

This special traffic enforcement detail, which is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), begins on Friday, March 17, 2023, and runs through Sunday, March 19, 2023.

Drivers can expect to encounter additional DWI patrols and sobriety checkpoints during the enforcement period. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who are using handheld electronic devices and will conduct checks at retail establishments targeting underage drinking and unlawful sales to minors during the campaign.

During last year’s St. Patrick’s Day impaired driving enforcement, Troopers arrested 381 people for DWI, issued 754 tickets for distracted driving, and 26,594 tickets in total.

Drunk driving kills more than 11,500 people each year in our country. One person every 45 minutes dies of an alcohol-related crash and every one of those deaths is preventable.

Choosing to drive drunk can ruin or end your life or someone else’s. This St. Patrick’s Day, if you drink and drive, you face jail time, the loss of your license, a higher insurance rate, and dozens of unanticipated expenses. Charges related to impaired driving carry fines of up to $10,000.

The New York State Police and the GTSC ask you to commit to following these easy steps, so you can enjoy a safe holiday without jeopardizing lives on the road:

  • Before the festivities begin, plan a way to safely get home at the end of the night.
  • Before you start drinking, designate a sober driver and leave your car keys at home.
  • If you’re impaired, use a taxi or ridesharing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
  • If available, use your community’s sober ride program
  • Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving.  Designate a sober friend to walk you home.
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, call local law enforcement. You could save a life.

Image via the New York State Police.

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