East Hudson Valley News

Various law enforcement agencies in Dutchess County are taking part in a focused effort to reduce impaired driving during the Halloween weekend. The STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign is set to begin on Thursday, October 31, and will continue until Sunday, November 3.

Halloween night poses significant risks on roads across the country due to parties, trick-or-treating, and other events. From 2016 to 2020, there were 129 drunk-driving fatalities nationwide on Halloween night, including the deaths of 11 pedestrians.

Authorities urge drivers to be cautious of pedestrians this Halloween. This includes children out for trick-or-treating as well as adults who may have consumed alcohol. Walking while intoxicated is also hazardous, as it can lead to accidents involving vehicles.

Intoxicated drivers account for approximately one-third of all traffic-related fatalities in the United States. In 2020 alone, collisions with intoxicated motorists resulted in 11,654 deaths nationwide. Initiatives like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to reduce such incidents by increasing awareness and enforcement.

The campaign is part of a series of statewide initiatives supported by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Other targeted periods include Super Bowl weekend, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, the "100 Days of Summer" from June through August, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and the winter holiday season. STOP-DWI New York encourages residents to download its mobile app "Have a Plan," which helps users find safe transportation options home.