ALBANY, N.Y. - It is a simple message: Think before you get behind the wheel, especially if you have been drinking.
In an effort to enforce that message, a local program "Choices 301" is teaming up with State Police to put together a STOP DWI message along Central Avenue Labor Day weekend.
Ed Frank, of Choices 301, joined with members of Colonie and State Police Departments on Friday to spread the word about safe driving.
New York State Police Major William Sprague says while it is an ongoing effort to keep drunk drivers off the road, holiday weekends provide a good time for a reminder. "The Labor Day weekend generally means increased traffic on our roads. We ask everyone to drive safely, be patient and practice good habits," he said.
This weekend also wraps up a statewide crackdown on drunk driving. The "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" program has netted nearly 700 arrests by State Police over the last two weeks. Additional patrols will be out all weekend, but the hope is to keep the number of arrests and accidents down with Friday's reminder.
Chief Steven Heider, of the Colonie Police Department, says "It would make our day as law enforcement officers if Tuesday morning we haven't made one arrest but we also haven't had one serious accident."
This reminder will remain all weekend. Drivers can also expect to see more officers out on the road. Police say they are not just looking for drunk drivers, they also want to reminder drivers to put your cell phone down and keep your speed in check as well.
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