Erie County Executive Chris Collins and Members of the Erie County Legislature Minority Caucus today joined local law enforcement and DWI prevention advocates to remind motorists to avoid drinking and driving during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Erie County Executive Chris Collins said, “Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and a great opportunity for Western New Yorkers to celebrate with family and friends, but we are asking everyone to celebrate safely. If you are drinking alcohol, please think twice before getting behind the wheel. Every year, far too many families are forced to face the deadly consequences of drinking and driving.”
Legislator John J. Mills said, “If you are going to drink over the course of the Labor Day weekend, plan ahead and use designated drivers to protect yourself and your fellow motorists. A little common sense can go a long way in keeping our roads safe this holiday.”
Local law enforcement officers will be out in force throughout the entire weekend to stop and arrest impaired drivers. This initiative is part of a statewide effort to reduce drunk driving crashes and associated fatalities by a combination of public education and a heightened enforcement of drinking and driving offenses.
According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), the number of reported alcohol-related crashes in New York State totaled 8,873 in 2009. Of those, more than 600 occurred in Erie County. To date, local police agencies, the State Police, and the Erie County Sheriff’s office have recorded more than 2,300 arrests for DWI, 418 of them were Felonies.
“Drunk drivers contribute to the deaths of hundreds of people each year and it only takes a quick second to end up in a situation where someone is killed in a head-on crash,” said Legislator Dino Fudoli. “The efforts of law enforcement and organizations such as Designated Drivers of Buffalo will improve safety on our highways and ultimately save lives during this holiday weekend.”
Legislator Ray Walter said, “Our message is simple: If you are drinking, don't drive. To help ensure that happens, our partners in law enforcement and DWI prevention are dedicated to finding innovative ways to keep impaired drivers off of the road.”
“Too often, we learn of families torn apart because an intoxicated person recklessly disregarded their safety and that of other people,” Legislator Kevin Hardwick said. “This weekend, motorists are reminded that drinking and driving is simply not an option.”
Legislator Lynne Dixon said, “While STOP-DWI efforts have reduced the number of alcohol-related fatalities, still too many lives are lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Getting behind the wheel while impaired can have potentially deadly consequences and I encourage everyone to find a designated driver before going out.”
Legislator Edward A. Rath, III, said, “When you choose to drive while intoxicated, you are making a choice that not only affects you, but also your family, friends and anyone else that may be involuntarily involved,” Legislator Edward A. Rath, III, said. “Having a designated driver is tremendously important and if you and your friends are caught out after having one too many drinks, I implore you to take advantage of the services offered by Designated Drivers of Buffalo.”
Michael Mule, CEO of Designated Drivers of Buffalo also participated in the press conference. He said, “Thousands of people in Erie County are affected by drinking and driving each and every year. We are excited to partner with Erie County to help raise awareness of our life saving service. We simply offer a no excuse solution to drinking and driving by providing our customers with a safe ride home in the comfort and convenience of their own vehicles. This insures that they never again have to risk drinking and driving just because they want their car home at the end of the night.”
Designated Drivers of Buffalo offers a unique, no excuse solution to drinking and driving by providing a safe ride home for its customers and their vehicle. All of the drivers have had a complete DMV and criminal background check and are trained in defensive driving and safety protocols. Driving services can be obtained by calling (716) 713-7703.
State Police Troop A Captain Steve Nigrelli said, “The State Police Troop A and Buffalo Thruway Division are pleased to join our partners in local law enforcement and the Sheriff’s office for the Labor Day DWI Enforcement Campaign this weekend. We remind motorists that special patrols from the State Police will be on the lookout for drunken drivers and we encourage all to plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home this weekend.”
Buffalo Police Chief Dennis Richards represented the County’s 18 Local Police agencies. “The DWI enforcement effort of Erie County police agencies is designed to apprehend drunken drivers before they hurt someone. Today’s announcement, in advance of this weekend’s roving patrol blitz, is a warning to those who ignore the sad lessons of the DWI crashes that have claimed hundreds of lives and hurt thousands in Erie County over the years. The Buffalo Police Department and other municipal agencies are glad to join our partners in Law Enforcement from the State Police and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office in reminding all that drunken driving is dangerous and to make plans in advance for a safe ride home this holiday weekend.”