With the holidays fast approaching, more Americans will be traveling to spend time with families and friends. It’s also a time when some people are likely to celebrate with a drink or two. The combination of these two factors can be a dangerous one. It’s important to remember to celebrate responsibly - and that includes not driving under the influence.

In her final report to legislators last week, outgoing District Attorney Meagan Galligan discussed Sullivan County DWI Court.  According to Galligan, by the time someone has been arrested for driving while intoxicated, they’ve likely already driven drunk 50 or more times without getting caught. 

That can be a frightening figure to consider, and one that puts innocent people on the roads at risk. 

It’s important to keep our roads safe this holiday season so that celebrations don’t turn to tragedy.

Governor Kathy Hochul recently issued a proclamation designating December as STOP-DWI Month and announced a series of targeted initiatives to prevent impaired driving across the state. Throughout December, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) will launch a new anti-drinking and driving Public Service Announcement. GTSC will also launch a $1 million ‘Don’t Drive High’ public awareness campaign, which will use funding from the New York State Office of Cannabis Management.

Together with the State Liquor Authority, State Police, and local law enforcement, the DMV oversees Operation Prevent, an enforcement initiative that helps prevent underage drinking and the sale of alcohol to minors. In addition, the GTSC supports training for Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). DREs are called when a driver appears to be impaired, but police have ruled out alcohol as the cause or sole cause of impairment.

“A common threat on our roads, and one we continually fight, is impaired and drunk driving,” said New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli. “As motorists drive throughout the state to see their family and friends this holiday season, we encourage them to make safe driving practices their priority. The New York State Police proudly joins our law enforcement partners in the continued effort to discourage, detect, and apprehend impaired and drunk drivers.”