Law enforcement will increase DWI patrols during Super Bowl weekend

Staff Reports Posted 31 January 2019 at 4:22 pm

State Police, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies will increase their patrols on Super Bowl weekend beginning this Saturday through 4 a.m. Monday.

Law enforcement agencies across the state will crack down on impaired driving during Super Bowl weekend. The STOP-DWI campaign will include underage drinking enforcement, increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify and arrest impaired drivers.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the number of drinking and driving fatalities, too many lives continue to be lost due to crashes caused by impaired drivers. During the 2018 Super Bowl campaign, State Police arrested 120 people for impaired driving and issued 7,733 tickets.

The enforcement crackdown is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

“Unlike the Super Bowl, there are no winners when someone makes the choice to get behind the wheel of a vehicle impaired,” said Acting State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett. “If you are going to be drinking, have a game plan to get home safely. Safety is our top priority and we will be increasing patrols and expanding sobriety checkpoints to identify dangerous and impaired drivers and prevent them from causing senseless tragedies. If you’re celebrating, do your part and celebrate responsibly. Don’t drive impaired. Together, we can save lives and prevent serious injuries.”

During this enforcement period, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.

If people are drinking, Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower urges them to plan a safe way to get home. They should call for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi or Uber, he said.

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