Press release:
Genesee County STOP-DWI Coordinator announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office, City of Batavia Police Department and the Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.
The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Nov. 22nd and will end on Nov. 26th.
This Thanksgiving weekend, millions will hit the roads eager to spend time with family and friends. It’s one of the busiest travel times of the year, and unfortunately Thanksgiving has become one of the deadliest times of the year on America’s roads because “Thanksgiving Eve,” the Wednesday before the holiday, has become one of the year’s biggest drinking days.
Whether it’s young people home from college or adults who know they have the next day off from work, Thanksgiving Eve has contributed to a rise in drunken driving deaths around the holidays. More people on the roadways mean the potential for more vehicle crashes.
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2015 (6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25, to 5:59 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30), there were 301 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation. Tragically, 50 percent of those killed were not buckled up at the time of their fatal crash.
In a combined effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads. New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.
Genesee County Sheriff, William Sheron said, “We have much to be thankful this time of year. Let's be sure that our loved ones make it home safely for the holidays. Don’t drink and drive, stay off the phone while driving and give driving your undivided attention.”
The STOP-DWI Thanksgiving 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 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 Thanksgiving Weekend!
