Monroe County, NY – Monroe County Joins National STOP-DWI Campaign for Independence Day

July 3, 2024

High-visibility awareness campaign targets drink-driving until Sunday, July 7

View the full press release (PDF)

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced today that the county’s STOP-DWI program is partnering with Monroe County law enforcement agencies this holiday week to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and increase efforts to remove impaired drivers from the roadways, ensuring community safety.

“I am grateful to our STOP-DWI program for their continued efforts to raise awareness about impaired driving and to our Monroe County law enforcement officers who will be out in force this weekend to protect the community,” said County Executive Adam Bello“If you are drinking at a gathering for fun and celebration on Independence Day and throughout the weekend, make sure you have a plan to get home safely, whether that means a designated driver, public transportation, a taxi, or Uber. If you are drinking, don’t drive.”

The statewide STOP-DWI high-visibility awareness campaign, which includes additional patrols and police presence on the roads, will begin Wednesday, July 3 and end Sunday, July 7. The July 4 long weekend is historically a deadly time for drunk driving. With July 4 falling on a Thursday this year, the heavy travel is expected to begin July 3.

Americans love celebrating the Fourth of July with family and friends, food, and fireworks. Unfortunately, these festivities often turn tragic on the region’s roads. The fact is, this iconic holiday in the United States is also one of the deadliest due to accidents involving drunk drivers.

“Over the past four Independence Day weekends, 308 people have been injured and four people have been killed in traffic crashes on Monroe County roadways, many of which were caused by the reckless decisions of impaired drivers.” said Lindsay Tomidy, Monroe County STOP-DWI coordinator. “Every life lost is one too many. Our office is incredibly grateful to those who are helping us prevent deaths this holiday season. Everyone can do their part, from law enforcement officers keeping impaired or reckless drivers off the road, to friends and family preventing them from drinking and driving.”

The STOP-DWI High Visibility Commitment Campaign on July 4 is one of many statewide initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. Highly visible, high-profile efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Commitment Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and drugged driving.

You can help make a difference by having a sober plan before you drink! Impaired driving is completely preventable—it just takes a little planning. For more resources, visit the Monroe County STOP-DWI website at http://monroecounty.gov/safety-stopdwi.