The national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign just wrapped up an 18-day crackdown period, with New York state police issuing more than 43,000 tickets from August 19 to September 5. Governor Como said in a press release that the state has “zero tolerance” for impaired and reckless driving.
In the Finger Lakes state trooper region, which includes Rochester, a total of 5,284 tickets were issued during the campaign crackdown period. These included the following:
- 65 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
- 2,144 speeding tickets were issued.
- 165 people were cited for distracted driving.
- 284 tickets were issued for child restraint or seat belt violations.
Statewide, troopers also investigated 3,243 crashes during the 18 days, up from 2,973 during the same period last year. In these crashes, 11 people were killed and 1,006 people were injured. State officials are hoping the campaign will encourage safer driving to prevent future tragic crashes.
“Our message is very simple: Drive sober, put on your seat belt and put down your smart phone,” said State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II in the press release.
The numbers suggest that plenty of New York residents still need to heed this message.