East Hudson Valley News

Law enforcement agencies in Dutchess County will join a statewide initiative to address impaired driving during the Thanksgiving holiday. This effort is part of the STOP-DWI High Visibility Enforcement Campaign, which will run from Wednesday, November 27, to Sunday, December 1.

Agencies across the state will work together in this coordinated effort aimed at reducing alcohol-related injuries and fatalities during this period.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights that more impaired driving incidents occur on Thanksgiving than on surrounding days. The NHTSA notes that 31 percent of all driving collisions on Thanksgiving involve impaired driving. Furthermore, car crash fatalities on Thanksgiving increased by 23 percent from 2019 to 2020, according to their latest data.

The STOP-DWI Thanksgiving High Visibility Engagement Campaign is one of several 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" campaign from June through August, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, and the winter holiday season. Residents are encouraged by STOP-DWI New York to download its mobile app “Have a Plan.”