Schuyler County STOP DWI Program

12/31/2023

Celebrate 🥳 New Year’s with a plan whether you’re driving or hosting. is drunk driving.

10/29/2023

👻 Halloween is creeping closer, and we're ready for a hauntingly good time. Share your responsible party tips below and let's make this season one to remember. 🎃🚗🍻

02/22/2023

What does a drug impaired
driver look like?

Different drugs affect the body differently.
Each drug category will cause different signs
and indicators of impairment, so drivers may
look and act differently depending upon which
drug(s) the individual has utilized. All drug
impaired drivers will have a diminished ability
to safely operate a vehicle due to physical
or mental impairment caused by a drug or a
combination of drugs.

10/30/2022

ALWAYS have a safe plan to get home - download the 'Have A Plan' mobile app today. Www.stopdwi.org/mobile app

10/08/2022

One bad decision can turn fun Halloween celebrations into a nightmare.

08/18/2022

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
The Results of Drunk Driving Could Be Crushing
Watkins Glen, NY — During the Labor Day holiday, including the end of summertime and the busy Labor Day weekend, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working alongside the law enforcement community in Schuyler County to decrease impaired driving. From August 19 through September 5, the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and Watkins Glen Police Department will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement period. In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together during this time to take drunk drivers off the roads. No matter how you plan to celebrate the end of the season this year, make sure you plan it safely.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 11,654 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2020 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2016 to 2020, and one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 45 minutes in 2020. This is why the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and the Watkins Glen Police Department are working together with NHTSA to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death. As you head out to festivities during the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Sheriff Kevin Rumsey. “We need commitment from our community members that they’ll keep the streets free of drunk drivers so that everyone can have a safe summertime and Labor Day holiday. This is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal and it takes lives. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this senseless behavior,” Rumsey said.

During the 2020 Labor Day holiday period (6 p.m. September 4 – 5:59 a.m. September 8), there were 530 crash fatalities nationwide. Forty-six percent of those fatalities involved drivers who had been drinking (.01+ BAC). More than one-third (38%) of the fatalities involved drivers who were drunk (.08+ BAC), and one-fourth (25%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (.15+ BAC). Age is a particularly risky factor: Among drivers between the ages of 21 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday period in 2020, 44% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.

The Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, Watkins Glen Police Department and NHTSA are reminding citizens of the many resources available to get them home safely. “Drunk driving is not acceptable behavior, especially when there are so many safe alternatives to get you home safely,” said Sgt. Ethan Mosher of the Watkins Glen Police Department.

The Schuyler County Sheriff’ Office and Watkins Glen Police Department recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, call the Schuyler County Dispatch Center at 607-535-8222.
• Do you have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.
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Get resources on ways to prevent drunk driving and alcohol-impaired crashes along with national drunk driving statistics and facts.

04/02/2022

03/14/2022

Schuyler County to Participate in Statewide STOP-DWI
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
“High Visibility Engagement Campaign”

STOP-DWI Impaired Driving High Visibility Engagement Campaign runs March 16, 2022 through March 20, 2022

County Administrator Fonda Chronis announced today that Schuyler County police agencies and STOP-DWI Coordinators will participate in special efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI Crackdown efforts start on March 16, 2022 and will end on March 20, 2022. St. Patrick’s Day Weekend is a notoriously deadly period for impaired driving due to the number of celebrations and drivers on the road. New York State Police, County Sheriff, municipal law enforcement agencies and STOP-DWI Programs across the state will be participating in special engagement efforts to reduce the number of alcohol related injuries and deaths.

Administrator Chronis commented, “These crackdown efforts combat impaired driving that too often lead to tragic accidents and death. I want to express my appreciation to Sheriff Rumsey, his team, and the Schuyler County Legislature for committing resources towards this important deterrent, and I urge our residents to celebrate safely this St. Patrick’s Day.”

The STOP-DWI St. Patrick’s Day High Visibility Engagement Campaign is one of many statewide initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The Statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign also targets Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day/End of Summer, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Holiday Season and Super Bowl.

Highly visible, highly publicized efforts like the STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign aim to further reduce the incidence of drunk and impaired driving.

You can help to make a difference by Having a Sober Plan! Download our mobile app – “Have a Plan” and you will always be able to find a safe ride home www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp Impaired driving is completely preventable. All it takes is a little planning.

The New York State Governors Traffic Safety Committee and the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation are proud to release our Have A Plan mobile app. This app provides you with a timely and convenient resource that enables you to locate and call a taxi service, program a designated-driver list, educate yourself on...