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STOP-DWI announces DWI enforcement detail for Halloween

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Genesee County STOP-DWI coordinator Matt Landers announced today that the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, City of Batavia Police Department and Village of Le Roy Police Department will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving.

While we spend Halloween trick-or-treating and hosting parties with our loved ones, law enforcement officers across New York State will take to the roads in an effort to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on Oct. 31st and will end on Nov. 2nd. New York State Police, county Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will be out in force.

Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk-driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. Sobriety checkpoints play a key part in raising awareness about the problem. Undersheriff Sheron is a believer when it comes to the positive effect extra patrols have on holiday weekend safety.

“Holidays are a time of relaxation and celebration," Sheron said. "Part of our job is to make sure that the celebration doesn’t spill over onto our highways. DWI continues to be a leading cause of accidents, injury and death. For this reason, we will have extra patrols out on and around Halloween.”   

The STOP-DWI Halloween Weekend Crackdown is one of many statewide enforcement initiatives promoted by the New York State STOP-DWI Association. Throughout the remainder of the year the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will also target the national Holiday Season in December.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the numbers of alcohol- and drug-related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. It is significant to note that in 2012, 19 percent of the fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween involved drunk drivers. Stay safe this Halloween, don't drink and drive -- get a ride. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.  Have a safe and happy Halloween Weekend!

Fred GUNDELL

This should be the effort ALL the time. Not just on special occasions, or Holidays. I am opposed to the Road Blocks,(This is not Baghdad), but support any and all efforts to increase road patrols and get the drunks off the road.

Oct 20, 2014, 4:16pm Permalink
cj sruger

Ya, but they can do their jobs so much better when they get huge taxpayer checks from the state to do what they already do. then say how the number of dwi's have gone down so far that these taxpayer grants are a must and we cant stop them, in fact we will need to increase the amount of these grants and roadblocks to make everyone even safer

Oct 20, 2014, 5:04pm Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

"It is significant to note that in 2012, 19 percent of the fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween involved drunk drivers."

Anyone have the definition of "pedestrian crash"? Everything I've envisioned has (pretty much) ruled out fatality.

Oct 20, 2014, 8:00pm Permalink
alvin tufts

" Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce drunk driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent" and since "It is significant to note that in 2012, 19 percent of the fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween involved drunk drivers. " So 20 % of 19% is less than a 1% improvement in "fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween". These are typically considered "special details" and the officers get paid time and a half. So there is no shortage of volunteers.
If this is truly to enhance safety and not a revenue grab then any other violations encountered at "sobriety checkpoints" should receive only verbal warnings. I won't be holding my breath.

Oct 20, 2014, 8:35pm Permalink
Fred GUNDELL

I could not agree more. The money grab also continues when they get the grant for "Enforcing Seat Belt Laws". Again, done on time and a half Overtime. How about the overtime money donated to State Police to sit at road construction sites. " That normally has very little going on". All in the name of public safety, but actually lining the pockets of law enforcement. WITH OUR MONEY !!

Oct 21, 2014, 6:17am Permalink
alvin tufts

Your right thanks Tim. I still don't think they will be saving anyone since 4% would be 4 people saved out of 100 that will die on Halloween. How many people are typically killed on Halloween in Genesee County from fatal accidents? If it's 25 then 1 person will be saved, but if it is that high then maybe we should cancel Halloween anyways. Maybe issue a travel ban and save the other 24.

Oct 21, 2014, 6:25am Permalink
Steve Ognibene

How about the different departments police a little bit more when School busses are bringing students home from school ? I cannot tell you how many times on main street in batavia cars go by my reds when stopped. At least 6-10 per day.

Oct 21, 2014, 12:00pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

wow, Steve that's a lot and very concerning. I'm not usually about increasing law enforcement activity, but that is one area I would support it. Instead of red light cameras at intersections, which do little to nothing towards preventing accidents (total money grab and invasion of privacy) How about red light cameras for school buses? Passing a stopped school bus is a complete disregard for safety of children.

Oct 21, 2014, 2:35pm Permalink
Raymond Richardson

"I am opposed to the Road Blocks,(This is not Baghdad), but support any and all efforts to increase road patrols and get the drunks off the road."

That's like saying, "I'm for getting people off of illegal drugs, but I'm opposed to a drug rehab facility in my neighborhood.

They're not road blocks, they are check points, and they also check for vehicle violations, i.e. expired inspection and registration stickers, passengers not wearing seat belts, etc.

Oct 21, 2014, 5:20pm Permalink

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