DWI PATROLS IN FULL EFFECT FOR NEW YEAR’S

In order to help prevent injuries and deaths related to drunk driving, the New York State Police are playing a part in a national campaign to enforce drunk driving laws on New Year’s Eve.

The program, which is called “Drunk Driving, Over the Limit, Under Arrest,” is aimed at targeting drunk driving in order to prevent as many road injuries and fatalities as possible.

Studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that in 2011, there were roughly 9600 alcohol-related deaths across the country, 350 of which took place in New York.

The goal of police forces across the state is to reduce that number, and they will consider the program a success even if they only prevent one fatality.

In addition to increased regular patrols, state police will be staging various DWI checkpoints in highly-trafficked areas, as well as DWI saturation patrols and underage drinking enforcement patrols.

For the most part, it is all hands on deck for police departments across the state. According to a spokesman for the police department, the goal is not to simply give out a lot of tickets though, but rather to give any would-be drunk drivers a reason to think twice, and potentially save lives as a result.

The motto of the campaign, according to spokesmen, is that drunk driving isn’t worth the risk, so don’t roll the dice.