Local sheriff and police departments across the state are cooperating with New York State Troopers to crack down on drunken and impaired drivers during the St. Patrick’s Day season of festivities.
New York state police and local law enforcement will increase road patrols and underage drinking surveillance for the St. Patrick’s Day season. This St. Patrick's Day, if you drink and drive, you will face jail time, the loss of your license, a higher insurance rate and dozens of unexpected expenses. Charges related to impaired driving carry fines of up to $10,000.
Everyone wants everyone to have a great time at parades, pub crawls, and parties BUT driving while impaired with drugs or alcohol is crossing the line – Full Stop – no excuses. Bars and taverns also need to be extra careful in checking IDs to prevent underage drinking.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced increased New York State Police and local law enforcement patrols will be present through St. Patrick’s Day to combat drunk, impaired and reckless driving. This annual traffic safety enforcement period — funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee — begins today, March 10, and will operate through Monday, March 17.
"When I became Governor, I promised to make New York safer for everyone,” Governor Hochul said. “Impaired driving can shatter lives — just as it did for Atoria Elem, who had turned 21 the day before an impaired driver crashed into her after leaving a St. Patrick’s Day parade. That crash changed the trajectory of Atoria’s life and the young life of the driver — who was also 21 at the time and spent several prime years of his life behind bars because of it. These traffic enforcement periods are critical to holding motorists accountable and preventing tragedies on our roadways.”
In addition to DWI (driving while intoxicated) checkpoints, law enforcement officers will increase road patrols during the traffic enforcement period to surveil for drivers who are speeding or distracted, or those violating the “Move Over Law.” New York State Police will also 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 campaign, officers statewide arrested 935 motorists who were DWI, issued 24,699 tickets — 4,600 of which were for speeding violations. Choosing to drive impaired can ruin your life or someone else’s.