'Record' DWI Crackdown To Continue On New Year's Holiday: Sheriff

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — There have been a record number of driving while intoxicated-related arrests this year, Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon said — adding that enhanced DWI patrols will be in place for the New Year's holiday to keep residents safe.

"Our deputy sheriffs continue to do an incredible job patrolling for impaired drivers. This year, they have surpassed the previous year’s DWI arrests — making many lifesaving arrests, including those under Leandra’s Law and incidents involving wrong-way drivers," Toulon said. "They are closing the year strong with enhanced DWI enforcement during this critical time so we can all safely celebrate the holidays with friends and family."

The Sheriff’s Office DWI enforcement team has made a record number of DWI arrests this year, with 209 arrests to date, Toulon said. Included in the arrests are 37 aggravated DWI charges — where the defendant had a BAC of .18 or higher — 15 arrests involving drivers with prior DWI convictions; two wrong-way drivers; and three Leandra’s Law arrests, Toulon said.

Leandra’s Law is legislation in New York State that renders it an automatic felony on the first offense to drive drunk with a person 15 or younger inside the vehicle; the law was named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed on the Henry Hudson Parkway on October 11, 2009, when she was a passenger in a car driven by an intoxicated driver, Toulon said.

Additional arrests include one case under New York’s "Under 21 Zero Tolerance" law and 13 arrests for driving while impaired by drugs, Toulon said.