Press Release-09-16-2022

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GOVERNOR’S TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITEE ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN 

2,823 Tickets Issued for Impaired Driving During STOP-DWI "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Campaign 

100,904 Tickets Issued for Other Vehicle and Traffic Law Violations 

Impaired Driving Crashes Increased 11 Percent from 2020 to 2021

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced that law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued 2,823 tickets for impaired driving during the STOP-DWI "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, which ran from August 19 through September 5. During that time, officers also issued 100,904 tickets for other vehicle and traffic law violations, such as speeding and distracted driving.

“There’s no excuse for impaired driving. It’s 100 percent preventable,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Through education and enforcement, we will continue our work on reducing impaired driving. I applaud our law enforcement officials for their commitment and hard work in getting dangerous drivers off our roadways.”

The STOP-DWI "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign, supported by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), occurs multiple times throughout the year to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. The following tickets were issued during this campaign:

ViolationNumber of Tickets
Impaired Driving2,823
Distracted Driving    1,383
Move Over Law685
Seatbelt4,113
Speeding23,646
Other Violations71,077
Grand Total103,727

Last year, there was a rise in impaired-driving crashes. According to data from the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, police-reported impaired driving crashes in New York increased 11 percent from 2020 to 2021.

A major component of New York's efforts to combat impaired driving is the Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated, STOP-DWI, the nation's first self-sustaining impaired driving program. The program is funded from fines paid by convicted impaired drivers. Program coordinators are from diverse professional backgrounds, both in and out of law enforcement.

STOP-DWI was created to empower counties to coordinate local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. All 62 counties have opted to participate. Additionally, GTSC and STOP-DWI also remind motorists that their "Have a Plan" mobile app is available for Apple, Android and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or rideshare service and program a designated driver list. To learn more, visit http://www.stopdwi.org/.

In addition to STOP-DWI, the GTSC supports training for Drug Recognition Experts. DREs are specially trained officers utilized by law enforcement when a driver appears to be impaired, but police have ruled out alcohol as the cause or sole cause of impairment. Each DRE receives extensive training that has been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Training allows officers to observe and document signs and indicators of impairment within each of seven drug categories including illicit and prescription drugs.

About GTSC 
Combined with education and enforcement campaigns, GTSC coordinates various traffic safety activities throughout the year, and supports ongoing initiatives to improve pedestrian, motorcycle, and bicycle safety. The GTSC also sponsors critical training for law enforcement, provides resources for teen drivers and their parents, and promotes seatbelt use statewide. For more information about traffic safety in New York State, please visit the GTSC website at https://trafficsafety.ny.gov/

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