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Make the right choice

Posted 7/2/21

As people throughout Sullivan County get ready for the Fourth of July Weekend, many have big plans in the works. Maybe you’re headed out onto the rivers or lakes. Maybe you’re hosting a …

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Make the right choice

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As people throughout Sullivan County get ready for the Fourth of July Weekend, many have big plans in the works. Maybe you’re headed out onto the rivers or lakes. Maybe you’re hosting a cookout for family and friends. Whatever your plans are this holiday weekend, we remind everyone to be safe and to make smart decisions.

A press release issued from the governor’s office on Wednesday warned that state troopers and local law enforcement agencies across the Empire State will be targeting impaired and reckless drivers throughout the holiday weekend.

State Troopers will also be conducting sobriety checkpoints to keep highways safe during one of the busiest summer holidays for travel. The campaign begins today and runs through Monday, July 5.

According to the governor’s office, state police issued nearly 9,214 vehicle and traffic tickets during the 4th of July weekend last year. They also arrested 180 people for DWI and investigated 456 crashes and one fatality.
“Troopers will be out in force and highly visible this weekend, on the lookout for impaired, drugged, and reckless drivers. Our message is simple: If you drink and drive, you will be arrested,” said New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen. “Stay safe and don't make a bad decision that costs your life or the life of someone else."

The Fourth of July initiative is partially funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. The GTSC and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their "Have a Plan" mobile app, is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi or rideshare service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol not only puts your life and the lives of others at risk, but you also risk arrest, jail time, and substantial fines and attorney fees.
Arrested drunk and drugged drivers face the loss of their driver's license, higher insurance rates, and dozens of unanticipated expenses from attorney fees, fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost time at work.

The average drinking and driving arrest can cost you thousands of dollars, not to mention the incalculable damage you can cause to someone else’s life.

So make the right choices this holiday weekend. Plan a safe way home before the fun begins, whether that’s designating a sober driver or utilizing a taxi service.

These simple and common sense precautions will ensure that everyone has a good time and gets home safe.

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