SUPPORTING SAFETY
Authorities plan STOP-DWI campaign in Saratoga County
MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. » In an effort to prevent drunken driving, authorities in Saratoga County on Thursday announced a July 4 STOP-DWI campaign.
“During the week of July 4, local law enforcement will be out in force, utilizing sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to deter impaired driving and ensure the safety of our roadways,” said Sheriff
Michael H. Zurlo. “Motorists are reminded that driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher will put them over the limit and under arrest.”
Zurlo mentioned checkpoints will happen throughout the county the rest of the summer.
The announcement Thursday took place at DeCrescente Distributing Inc. in Mechanicville.
Chuck DeWeese, assistant commissioner for the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, said the state has been telling people it’s not right to drink and drive for years.
“We’ve been doing a really
good job. Over 40 years the [fatalities from alcohol-related crashes] have been on decline, although there are still way too many,” said DeWeese. “But the druggeddriving fatalities have had a major increase across the state and across this country. That’s a real problem.”
DeWeese said the focus tends to be on DWI, for the public not to drive while impaired by alcohol, but he stressed the importance of not driving impaired by prescription drugs or illegal narcotics.
Sarah Liedel spoke Thursday morning. Liedel’s daughter, Kari, was 14 in July 2012 when a drunken driver struck and killed her on West Milton Road.
“I come to these type of things to ask everyone not to put another family in the position that my family has gone through. To lose a child, there’s nothing worse,” said Liedel. “And to lose a child over something irresponsible and unneeded, something that could have been prevented — Don’t drink and drive. Call a friend, walk home, take an Uber, call a taxi. There are way too many options, so there’s no excuse for drinking and driving.”
In an effort to keep the roads safe this weekend, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office teamed up with DeCrescente Distributing Company and Uber to offer a discounted safe ride home.
Those looking to access the service can enter the promo code “JULY4UBER” in their Uber app to receive $5 off a ride home. Travel must take place in the Capital Region between the hours of 9 p.m. on Friday, June 29, and 3 a.m. on Sunday, July 1. This offer code is valid once per rider while supplies last.
“There is never an excuse to get behind the wheel after drinking this holiday weekend, or any day of the year,” said Danielle Filson, Uber spokesperson in a statement. “We urge residents and visitors in the Capital Region to plan ahead and coordinate how you, your family and friends will get to and from the July 4 festivities.”