New York State Police will crack down on impaired and reckless driving during Super Bowl weekend in St. Lawrence County and elsewhere across the state.

The special STOP-DWI enforcement campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, will include increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify, and arrest impaired drivers, as well as underage drinker enforcement. The enforcement initiative runs through Sunday, Feb. 11.

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The New York State Police and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to keep drunk and drug impaired drivers off our roads. Those celebrating the big game should do so safely by planning ahead and ensuring that only a sober driver gets behind the wheel.  We have zero tolerance for those irresponsible drivers, whose poor decisions endanger the public. Troopers, Deputies and Officers will be out in force this weekend to keep the roadways safe for all.”

While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the number of drinking and driving fatalities, too many lives are still being lost because of crashes caused by impaired drivers. During the 2023 Super Bowl campaign, State Police arrested 183 people for impaired driving and issued 11,865 total tickets.

During this enforcement period, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.

If you are hosting, you’re the team captain! Designate a responsible driver now to help your guests get home safely:

• Ask all of your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance or help them arrange ridesharing with sober drivers. If you don’t drink, offer to drive guests home.
• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
• Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter—this is a good time to serve coffee and dessert.
• Sign up online for a ridesharing service or keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from any guests who are thinking of driving after drinking.