America’s War of Independence won this nation’s freedom from the king of England. We celebrate the birth of our nation this weekend and police are promising to be out in force. Their goal will be to keep the roads free of suspected drunk drivers. That suggests that red, white and blue lights will be visible across the Hudson Valley and they won’t all be from fireworks.
We make a point on this blog of noting that an arrest for drunk driving is something to take seriously. The effects that a conviction can have on a person may be felt in their home life and their work life. There may be financial costs as well that pose significant challenges. With so much at stake, a person facing a charge of driving while intoxicated should be consulting an attorney.
According to authorities in Orange and Dutchess Counties, the STOP-DWI operations will involve officers from all levels and will run from July 3 all the way to July 7. But suggestions are that they have been on heightened alert since earlier this week in anticipation of folks getting an early jump on the long weekend.
The reason for the attention is clear. According to statistics from the federal government, more than 10,300 people died in alcohol-related vehicle crashes in 2012. Numbers for 2013 are as yet unavailable. The 2012 figure represents about a third of all fatalities for that year.
A spokesman for Orange County says that during the last stepped up enforcement effort over Memorial Day, 25 arrests for driving impairment were made in that county.
Source: Mid-Hudson News Network, “Hudson Valley counties participate in Fourth of July Statewide STOP-DWI Enforcement Effort,” accessed July 3, 2014
