Contact: Colleen Roche/ Samantha I. Lugo (212) 788-2958
Marilyn Mode, NYPD (212) 374-6700
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and New York City Police Commissioner Howard Safir today warned motorists and boat operators that the New York City Police Department will increase drunk driving enforcement during Labor Day Weekend in an effort to ensure a safe holiday for all New Yorkers.
"When you are with friends and family celebrating the final long weekend of the summer, it's easy to forget to be moderate when you are drinking. But you need to remember that every year, thousands of Americans are killed in motor vehicle accidents involving alcohol," Mayor Giuliani said. "If you drink and drive, you put yourself and the lives of your passengers, your children, other motorists and innocent bystanders at risk. Entire families have been destroyed because of the careless actions of one person. Drunken driving accidents are preventable tragedies, and even one is too many.
"The New York City Police Department will be actively patrolling the highways, streets, and waterways of our City during the upcoming holiday," the Mayor continued. "Our officers will be stopping cars and looking for motorists who may be impaired at DWI checkpoints throughout the City. If you are drinking and driving and the Police Department stops you, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The message is simple: Don't drink and drive. Instead designate a driver or utilize a taxi or car service. It is a choice that can save lives."
Police Commissioner Safir said, "The Police Department wants to insure that New Yorkers have a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend by establishing DWI checkpoints in key areas throughout the City. By cooperating with law enforcement as checkpoints and other measures are taken, New Yorkers can help make this Labor Day Weekend the safest in history."