As the summer wanes, many New Yorkers use the weekends leading up to Labor Day to cut loose. Knowing this, state and local police will be actively patrolling the streets to crack down on anyone who cuts too loose by driving drunk or committing other traffic violations. The STOP-DWI Labor Day initiative begins Friday, August 20, and will continue through Monday, Sept. 6.
“While Memorial Day is one of the biggest, every major holiday there is a surge in people driving under the influence,” said Kent Ng, a retired NYPD officer. “Weaving, not signaling, inconsistent speed—these are some of the telltale signs of intoxication police will be looking for.”
Police will set up DWI checkpoints and increase the presence of marked and unmarked vehicles as part of the enforcement event. In addition to watching out for drunk drivers, police can be expected to write a flurry of tickets for common offenses, such as speeding, texting while driving, and seatbelt violations.
DMV data shows that 23,757 drivers were charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol last year. Many of these charges were made during enforcement campaigns such as this one. This represents nearly a 30% decline over 2019 when 33,433 drivers were charged, a drop likely the result of fewer people on the road due to the pandemic.
The consequences of a DWI conviction in New York are severe. A person can be fined up to $1,000 and spend up to one year in prison. Drivers can also have their license suspended or even revoked. Insurance premiums can nearly double and sometimes a driver is dropped by the insurer altogether, forcing them to buy more costly, high-risk insurance.
If you or someone you love has been charged with drunk driving or any other traffic violation as part of the Labor Day STOP-DWI enforcement, it is urgent that you contact an attorney right away. The attorneys at Rosenblum Law have extensive experience fighting drunk driving and other traffic-related crimes in New York and New Jersey. E-mail or call 888-883-5529 for a free consultation about your case.
