Chautauqua County police agencies will participate in the upcoming New York State STOP-DWI Enforcement Crackdown, a state-wide effort to crackdown on impaired driving. The crackdown will take place March 17 through March 19.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, municipal law enforcement agencies, and New York State Police will vigorously enforce laws related to driving while impaired. They will work together to reduce the number of impaired driving injuries and deaths, with special emphasis on driving while impaired by either alcohol or drugs.

“Removing intoxicated drivers from Chautauqua County roadways is one of our top priorities,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph Gerace. “If you choose to drink, don’t drive. Drunk drivers not only put themselves in danger, they threaten everyone who shares the highway with them.”

These events are funded by a 2016-2017 grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, and is part of a national crackdown effort. Future crackdowns will take place around such holidays as Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

The Chautauqua County STOP-DWI Program is funded by drinking and driving fines collected from convicted drunk drivers.

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.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace

MAYVILLE, NY – With the Fourth of July Holiday weekend just about upon us, the Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace is reminding motorists that there will be stepped up road patrols the entire weekend, beginning Friday and ending on Monday. During this time period, law enforcement agencies will “vigorously” enforce laws related to driving while impaired, with special emphasis on impaired driving either by alcohol or drugs.

“Removing intoxicated drivers from Chautauqua County roadways is one of our top priorities,” said Sheriff Joe Gerace. “If you choose to drink, don’t drive. Drunk drivers not only put themselves in danger, they threaten everyone who shares the highways with them.”

Through the state-wide STOP-DWI Program, Chautauqua County police agencies will participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdown on impaired driving. New York State Police, County Sheriff, and municipal law enforcement agencies across the state will take part in this effort to reduce the number of impaired driving injuries and deaths.

According to a release from the sheriff’s office, the County’s last crackdown took place during Memorial Day weekend, and resulted in more than 100 vehicle stops, arrests, and summonses.

Funding for these crackdowns is provided by the New York State STOP- DWI Foundation through a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace says his office will be partnering with other police agencies this weekend in a STOP-DWI program. The enforcement effort is intended to crackdown on impaired driving during Super Bowl weekend and will star on Saturday, Jan. 31 and end on Monday, Feb 2. During the time period, law enforcement agencies will vigorously enforce laws related to driving while impaired, whether it be alcohol or drugs.

Participating agencies include the New York State Police, Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police, Ellicott Police, Lakewood-Busti Police, and various other law enforcement agencies in the county.

Funding for the initiative is provided by the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation through a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.