Oneida County Cracks Down on DWI Ahead of Labor Day

Joins U.S. DOT & State Police for ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that county law enforcement agencies are partnering with the U.S. Department of Transportation Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the State Police to participate in the “National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Labor Day Weekend enforcement campaign.

The DWI crackdown began on Wednesday and runs through Sept. 12. As part of the campaign, the Oneida County Sherriff’s Office and the Utica, Rome, New Hartford, Whitesboro, Whitestown and Yorkville Police Departments will be utilizing extra patrols for the specific purpose of DWI enforcement.

“Our law enforcement agencies have been instructed to show zero tolerance for impaired driving and will be removing offenders from the road to save lives,” Picente said. “If you plan on drinking alcohol, please have a plan to make it home safely before you head out and avoid driving under the influence at all cost.”

During the 2018 Labor Day holiday period of Sept. 1-5, there were 376 crash fatalities nationwide. Forty-four percent involved those driving under the influence of alcohol, 36 percent of which had a BAC over.08 percent and 26 percent had a BAC over .15 percent. Thirty-four of the fatalities were drivers between the ages of 18 and 35 and 42 percent of those individuals had a high BAC.

According to the Oneida County STOP-DWI Program, there were 408 DWI arrests in Oneida County last year and six alcohol-related fatalities.

“Every day, we work to spread the word about the dangers of drunk driving and this national, state and local campaign helps our law enforcement officers to better attack this problem head on,” said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol. “Drug-impaired driving is also an increasing problem on our nation’s roads. If you feel impaired by any substance, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Remember, if you feel different, you drive different.”