ALBANY, N.Y. – Arrests for drivers operating vehicles under
the influence of alcohol or drugs increased this St. Patrick's Day weekend when
compared to 2011 with 32 arrests and 827 traffic stops.
The Albany County STOP-DWI enforcement crackdown coincided
with Saint Patrick's Day and was conducted from March 15 through March 18.
Eleven municipal police agencies along with the Albany County Sheriff's Office
and the New York State Police participated.
The effort resulted in 32 arrests for motorists allegedly
operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The
enforcement period also resulted in 827 traffic stops with numerous citations being
issued for a variety of violations. Police also reported that there were 51 designated
drivers amongst the vehicles stopped who were transporting intoxicated individuals.
Additionally, the Albany and Colonie Police Departments
investigated a total of five crashes where alcohol or drugs were listed as a
contributing factor and in one of those crashes the individual was charged with
a felony under Leandra's Law. The man in that case allegedly drove impaired
with a two young children as passengers.
The average Blood Alcohol Content for the 32 arrests was
0.15 percent with the highest BAC being 0.26 percent, which is over three times
the legal limit for DWI. This compares to similar time frames in 2011 and 2012
as follows:
2011: 1162 traffic stops, 31 individuals arrested for DWI,
0.23% High BAC
2012: 770 traffic stops, 20 individuals arrested for DWI,
.0.24% High BAC
"The high arrest and crash results are very disturbing to
those of us involved with the STOP-DWI program. This crackdown was an announced
initiative and received a lot of attention in the media. We warned everyone and
have invested a lot in educating our public on the alternative options that are
available," Sheriff Craig Apple said. "It's simple, have a plan in place, use a
designated driver or call a taxi, just don't get behind the wheel."
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