Mid Hudson Valley Area Police to Crack Down on DWIs

From Orange County:

Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, Sheriff Carl E. DuBois, District Attorney David Hoovler and Orange County Stop-DWI Coordinator Craig W. Cherry announced on Wednesday that police will be cracking down on impaired drivers over Memorial Day weekend.

The Orange County Stop-DWI program is providing funding to police agencies throughout the County to set up police sobriety checkpoints and extra patrols to ensure that our roadways are safe during Memorial Day weekend and the rest of the summer.

“During Memorial Day weekend we typically see an uptick in drinking and driving accidents,” Neuhaus said. “This Stop-DWI enforcement increases awareness about drinking and driving, and reminds Orange County residents that we have a zero-tolerance policy for anyone driving under the influence. “There is never an excuse to drink and drive.”

Added DuBois: “There are many ways to avoid drinking and driving. Choose a designated river, take a cab or stay put. People who operate motor vehicles while intoxicated place themselves and all those around them at risk. During this holiday weekend, all Orange County police agencies will strictly enforce DWI laws.”

To prevent tragedies from taking place, the Stop-DWI Program recommends the following important precautions to have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend:

· Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.

· If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab or have a sober friend or family member pick you up. If need be, just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.

· Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while drunk.

· Always buckle up – it is still your best defense against a drunk driver.

· If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local police. You could save a life.

“Memorial Day parties and barbecues should be enjoyed with friends and family,” Hoovler said. “They should not end in tragedy. Drunk drivers jeopardize the lives and safety of innocent Orange County residents every time they get behind the wheel. If you are caught driving while intoxicated, the price you will pay by facing imprisonment, paying to defend against criminal charges, and potentially knowing that you killed or injured others just to have a good time, is simply not worth it,”

The STOP-DWI crackdown is comprised of several enforcement efforts promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation. These efforts are supported with funding from both the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.

Added Cherry: “The Memorial Day holiday period is one of the deadliest. It is not just about drunk and impaired driving, it is about following safe driving habits while on the road. When you combine impairment with factors such as cell phone use and texting it just adds to the potential for tragedies.”

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.