"STOP-DWI Crackdown Weekends" begin March 14th

BINGHAMTON, NY - James May Broome County Stop DWI Coordinator and Chairman of the New York State STOP-DWI Association joined Broome County Sheriff David Harder and local law enforcement officials today to announce local plans for participation in the 2008 New York State STOP-DWI enforcement effort to crackdown on drunk driving.

"Our efforts to create awareness and prevent impaired driving continue to gain success," stated Broome County STOP-DWI Coordinator James May. "Partnering with local law enforcement, we will continue to take an active role in reducing the incidence of driving while intoxicated in our community."

The year long effort begins with St. Patrick's Day, a popular celebration weekend March 14th – 17th. Law enforcement agencies in Broome County and throughout the state will be out in force to prevent impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown campaign is a joint effort on the part of the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, the New York State Police, New York State Sheriff's Association, the New York State Chiefs of Police Association and the New York State STOP-DWI Association.

In addition to St. Patrick's Day weekend, the Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will target: Memorial Day weekend, March 23rd – 26th, the Fourth of July holiday period of June 27th – July 6th, the National Enforcement Crackdown (Labor Day) period of August 13th – September 1st, Halloween October 24th – 31st and finally the winter holiday period from November 21st – December 31st.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York State have led to significant reductions in the number of alcohol related fatalities, still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by impaired drivers. Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the "Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Weekends" campaign aim to reduce the numbers even further.

STOP-DWI stands for Special Traffic Options Programs for Driving While Intoxicated. The STOP-DWI Program was enacted for the purpose of coordinating local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related crashes in a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining highway safety program. The STOP-DWI Program is funded entirely by the fines collected for alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses occurring within each county. All 62 counties in New York State have a STOP-DWI Program.

For more information go to www.bcstopdwi.com.