Write a commentOswego County STOP-DWI Coordinator David Hall announced today that Oswego County police agencies will participate in a special “high visibility engagement campaign” to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
The statewide initiative begins on Thursday, March 12 and ends Wednesday, March 18.
Hall said St. Patrick’s Day is a notoriously deadly period for impaired driving due to the number of celebrations and drivers on the road. “If you plan on consuming alcohol, have a plan before you start,” he said. “Have a designated driver, call a taxi or ride-sharing service, or walk. Whatever you do, just don’t drive.”
Law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force in an across-the-board effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related injuries and deaths.
STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaigns are one of many statewide initiatives promoted by the STOP-DWI New York and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving. This partnership allows local programs to increase their enforcement and public awareness efforts. These campaigns also target 420 Drug Day, ‘100 Days of Summer,’ Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, the December holiday season and Super Bowl weekend.
“While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have made great strides in reducing the numbers of alcohol and drug-related fatalities, there are still too many lives lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers,” said Hall. “Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning.”
Hall asks those celebrating the spirits of this holiday to become part of the solution by having a sober plan. “Don’t rely on Irish luck,” he said. “Download the ‘Have a Plan’ mobile app and you will always be able to find a safe ride home.”
Go to www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp and download the free STOP-DWI mobile app ‘Have a Plan.’
For more information about the Oswego County STOP-DWI Program go to www.oswegocounty.com/stopdwi or www.stopdwi.org/initiatives-oswego.
