Governor Cuomo announced a special DWI crackdown over the July 4th holiday weekend. From July 3rd to 6th, State Troopers will be actively monitoring roads throughout the state for impaired, intoxicated, and distracted drivers. Additionally, police will be cracking down on businesses selling alcohol to minors. The announced purpose of this holiday effort is to ensure roads are as safe as possible for travellers over the busy weekend. In his comments about this planned show of force Governor Andrew Cuomo stated, “This holiday weekend, State Police will be out in force to crack down on dangerous drivers. [The] 4th of July is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and through this campaign we are working to keep our roads safe for all travelers. As we celebrate this important holiday, I urge all New Yorkers to drive responsibly and obey the rules of the road.”
This year’s is not the first Independence Day DWI prevention campaign. Such a program has been in place for several years. State Police partner with STOP-DWI Association, Inc., a group dedicated to preventing DWIs. STOP-DWI works with the State Police and local law enforcement to weed out impaired or intoxicated drivers during busy holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. STOP-DWI also works within communities to spread awareness about the impact of drunk and impaired driving. The anti-DWI campaigns have proven effective; over the July 4th weekend in 2013, police arrested 100 more drivers for DWI than in 2012.This increased effort searching for intoxicated drivers will keep law enforcement patrolling in marked and unmarked vehicles throughout the holiday weekend.
Besides stopping and arresting intoxicated drivers, another purpose of this anti-DWI campaign is to inform drivers about DWI laws. In New York, a driver faces a driving while intoxicated charge when he or she operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content level of at least 0.08%. For a first time conviction, that driver can face stiff criminal penalties including:
- Up to 1 year in jail;
- A maximum fine of $1,000 and a surcharge of $400;
- A permanent criminal record;
- A 6-month license revocation; and
- Required installation/maintenance of ignition interlock device for 1 year.
Penalties for multiple DWI convictions increase with each offense. Drivers with multiple convictions face even higher fines and years in State Prison. Besides the legal penalties, a DWI conviction can have a lasting impact on a driver’s future. A DWI conviction may negatively affect a driver’s employment and educational opportunities for the rest of his or her life.
If you or someone you know has been charged with a DWI, contact he experienced DWI lawyers at Nave DWI Defense Attorneys. You will have the opportunity to discuss your case for free, and to be given the expert advice you need. At Nave DWI Defense Attorneys, our dedicated team of lawyers focuses exclusively on DWI cases. We use the experience this focus provides us to your advantage. We will aggressively defend you, and will fight to protect your rights. A DWI conviction can have serious consequences on your future in addition to the criminal penalties. Do not hesitate; contact Nave DWI Defense Attorneys today.
DISCLAIMER: The exclusive purpose of this article is educational and it is not intended as either legal advice or a general solution to any specific legal problem. Corporate offices for Nave DWI Defense Attorneys are located at 432 N. Franklin Street, Suite 80, Syracuse, NY 13204; Telephone No.: 1-866-792-7800. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.
