FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2018
Contact: John Lyon 845-638-5645

New City, NY – County Executive Ed Day and Rockland County STOP-DWI & Traffic Safety Coordinator Leslie Berger remind residents to celebrate safely this holiday season. 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 more people on the roadways means the potential for more vehicle crashes.

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. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts began this month and will continue through New Year's Day. Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem.

"The STOP-DWI program crystallizes a strong law enforcement effort to impact upon this crime," said County Executive Day. "The numbers of arrests show that despite our best efforts the scourge of drinking and driving is not going away. I urge residents to designate a driver, take a cab or use a ride hailing app like Uber or Lyft. Drunk driving deaths are 100 percent preventable there is no excuse for this behavior."

The STOP-DWI Thanksgiving Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. Throughout the remainder of the year, the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target the national Holiday Season in December.

Rockland County STOP-DWI & Traffic Safety Coordinator Leslie Berger said, "we are urging all Rocklanders to think before they drink and drive this holiday season. The night before Thanksgiving is the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season and is known as one of the biggest party nights of the year. We urge to people to Have a Plan and to make other arrangement to get home safely. It is not worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk."

You can help to make a difference by Having a Sober Plan! Download our mobile app – "Have a Plan" and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

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