Sheriff’s Office Announces Stepped Up DWI Enforcement During Halloween Weekend

MAYVILLE – Halloween weekend has arrived and there are plenty of events and activities for people of all ages. However, anyone who will be out celebrating is reminded that they should being doing it responsibly.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says local law enforcement will be taking part in a statewide STOP-DWI initiative this weekend to crack down on drunk driving. The crackdown will begins Friday, Oct. 28 and continues through Monday Night, Oct. 31.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2015, 52 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night (6 p.m. Oct. 31 to 5:59 a.m. Nov. 1) involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or higher.

The Chautauqua County STOP-DWI Program is funded by drinking and driving fines collected from convicted drunk drivers, as well as from the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation.

In addition to the STOP-DWI crackdown, Governor Andrew Cuomo is reminding residents of the “See! Be Seen!” education campaign, which is especially relevant this Halloween weekend.

The “See!” aspect of this campaign encourages drivers to:

• Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
• Do not block crosswalks when stopped at an intersection.
• Do not run red lights.
• Slow down and obey speed limits.
• Always look for pedestrians, particularly when turning at a green light or making a right turn on red.
• Take extra care around schools, playgrounds and neighborhoods.

The “Be Seen!” aspect of this campaign encourages pedestrians to:

• Cross at intersections and marked crosswalks.
• Use pedestrian push-buttons where available and wait for the signal to cross.
• Use sidewalks; if there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic so you see vehicles and drivers see you.
• Stay visible after dark and in bad weather by wearing light-colored or reflective clothing.
• Watch for vehicles backing out of parking spaces and exiting driveways.
• Make eye contact with drivers so they see you.
• Look left, look right, and then look left again before crossing a street.