State Police To Crack Down On Impaired Driving Super Bowl Weekend

LONG ISLAND, NY — The New York State Police announced it plans to crack down on impaired and reckless driving during Super Bowl weekend. Increased patrols, sobriety checkpoints and underage drinking enforcement can be expected between Friday and Monday, police said.

"While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the number of drinking and driving fatalities, too many lives are still being lost because of crashes caused by impaired drivers," police said.

During the 2020 Super Bowl campaign, state police arrested 122 people for impaired driving and issued 8,372 total tickets.

Troopers will be using both marked state police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow troopers to more easily find motorists who are using handheld devices while driving, according to police. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lights go on.

An impaired driving conviction carries a maximum fine of $10,000, up to seven years in prison the revocation of one's license.

Drivers were asked by police to move over for emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road.

Super Bowl party hosts were designated as "team captains" by state police, meaning they should designate a responsible driver to ensure their guests get home safely. Police provided some tips for hosts:

• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter — this is a good time to serve coffee and dessert.
• Sign up online for a ridesharing service or keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from any guests who are thinking of driving after drinking.
• The governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation "Have a Plan" mobile app is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and a way to even report a suspected impaired driver.
• Remember, if you serve a guest alcohol and he or she gets in a crash that night, you could be held liable.
• If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent or guardian can be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.