Press release:
Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Batavia Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.
Halloween is meant to be scary, but not when it comes to driving. When it comes to drunk driving Halloween can turn the roads into a horror fest. While we spend time trick-or-treating and hosting parties with our 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. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Oct. 28th and will end on Oct. 31st. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.
Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.
“Fall can be a tricky time of year to drive: driving in the rain at night, slippery leaves on the road surface, and lighting conditions, in general, all add to the challenges of fall driving,” said Genesee County Undersheriff William Sheron. “Halloween parties, football games and other social gatherings can include the consumption of alcoholic beverages. "We will have extra patrols out during the Halloween season. Plan ahead. If you’re going to drink, make sure you have a safe ride home.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to drunk drivers. In 2015, over half (52 percent) of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.
The STOP-DWI Halloween Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target Thanksgiving and the national Holiday Season in December.
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol and drug related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. Have a safe and happy Halloween Weekend!
