New York State Police Cracks Down on DWI and Reckless Driving During Super Bowl Weekend

On January 31, 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a statewide crackdown on impaired and reckless driving during Super Bowl weekend. New York State police and local law enforcement agencies worked together to enforce underage drinking laws, and increase patrols and security checkpoints to “deter, identify, and arrest impaired drivers,” according to Governor Cuomo’s press office.

On January 31, 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a statewide crackdown on impaired and reckless driving during Super Bowl weekend. New York State police and local law enforcement agencies worked together to enforce underage drinking laws, and increase patrols and security checkpoints to “deter, identify, and arrest impaired drivers,” according to Governor Cuomo’s press office.

The STOP-DWI campaign, ran from Saturday, February 4 until 4 a.m. Monday, February 6, and was promoted on message boards on highways across the state, including the New York State Thruway. During this year’s campaign, New York State Police arrested 110 people for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenses and issued more than 4,000 tickets. Law enforcement officials also investigated 210 crashes, which injured 37 people. None of motor vehicle accidents that were investigated on Super Bowl Weekend resulted in a fatality.

According to Yahoo! News, out of the top 10 worst days to drive during the year, the day of the Super Bowl ranks at number four. In 2003, a study released by the University of Toronto revealed a 41 percent increase in motor vehicle accidents in the hours following the Super Bowl. The study compared car accident data from 27 Super Bowl Sundays with that of Sundays before and after the big game from 1975 to 2001. The first hour immediately after the end of the game was the worst, with accident rates up by 70 percent.

According to the New York Journal of Medicine, the accident rate is significantly higher in losing states compared to winning states. For losing states, the number of motor vehicle crashes increased by 68 percent following the Super Bowl, while accidents rose by only 6 percent in winning states. For “neutral states,” collisions increased by an average of 68 percent. Factors that contribute to the increase in motor vehicle accidents include drinking, fatigue from staying up late, distraction and disappointment among drivers whose teams lost the game.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released tips to keep drivers safe during the Super Bowl. Those tips include:

• Monitor your friend’s and family member’s alcohol intake and do not let him or her drive if it is suspected that he or she is intoxicated.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast.

• Eat food, take breaks between drinks, and alternate with non-alcoholic beverages.

• Use the community’s sober ride program.

• Designate a sober driver or secure an alternate form of transportation before the party begins.

As law enforcement personnel increase their patrols, it is important for those who find themselves arrested for a serious traffic violation to be aware of their legal rights. An experienced New York DUI/DWI lawyer can help minimize the impact that a DUI/DWI charge can have on your life. The DUI/DWI attorneys at McGuire & Peláez P.C. are experienced in handling these cases and will fight vigorously on your behalf. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our Suffolk County, Long Island Traffic and DWI Law Offices 24/7 at 631-348-1702.