The New York State Police will join local law enforcement agencies across the state in an effort to crack down on impaired driving during Super Bowl weekend. The STOP-DWI campaign will include underage drinking enforcement, increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify and arrest impaired drivers. The campaign runs from Saturday, February 2 until 4 a.m. on Monday, February 4.

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the number of drinking and driving fatalities, too many lives continue to be lost due to crashes caused by impaired drivers. During the 2018 Super Bowl campaign, State Police arrested 120 people for impaired driving and issued 7,733 tickets. The enforcement crackdown is funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

Acting State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, "Unlike the Super Bowl, there are no winners when someone makes the choice to get behind the wheel of a vehicle impaired. If you are going to be drinking, have a game plan to get home safely. Safety is our top priority and we will be increasing patrols and expanding sobriety checkpoints to identify dangerous and impaired drivers and prevent them from causing senseless tragedies. If you’re celebrating, do your part and celebrate responsibly. Don’t drive impaired. Together, we can save lives and prevent serious injuries."

During this enforcement period, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to "move over" for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.

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 identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

An impaired driving conviction carries a maximum fine of $10,000, up to 7 years in prison and license revocation.