St. Lawrence County law enforcement agencies will participate in a crackdown on impaired driving from July 3 to 6, according to Michele James of the St. Lawrence County STOP-DWI program.

Fourth of July extended weekend is historically a deadly period for impaired driving,” James said. “This year [it] falls on a Saturday, so we expect heavy traveling to begin on Thursday, July 2 and festivities to begin on Friday, July 3 and run through Monday, July 6.”

According to data from NHTSA, during July 4 holiday period from 2009 to 2013, 750 people lost their lives in crashes involving drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more, James said. These fatalities account for 39 percent percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities over this same five-year period. The New York State Police, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s office and municipal law enforcement agencies will be out in force in this coordinated effort, James said.

The Statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign also targets Labor Day Weekend, Halloween and the holiday season in December.

“There will be no warnings,” James said. “Our message is simple—Don’t drink or drug and drive. Have a plan to get home safely. Violators will lose their licenses, pay increased insurance rates, fines, surcharges and DMV fees, and may have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle. Driving impaired is not worth it.”

Fines collected from convicted drunk drivers fund the St. Lawrence County STOP-DWI program, James said.