The state's Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign was launched this week and runs until Monday, Sep. 7, Labor Day.
"Driving drunk is both reckless and selfish, and we have seen too far too many avoidable tragedies that occurred after someone got behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have,” Cuomo said in a statement.
“I urge all New Yorkers to drive responsibly, and want everyone to know that impaired driving will not be tolerated in this state.”
The typical impaired motorist who's caught driving while intoxicated has a blood alcohol level of .14, twice the state's legal limit of .08, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee noted.
The Committee also found that 30 percent of the state's crash fatalities are alcohol-related, while other drugs were found to be the cause of 18 percent of crash fatalities.
Tougher penalties were enacted in November for offenders with multiple driving while intoxicated (DWI) charges. Drivers with three or more convictions in 15 years now face Class D felony charges, up to seven years in prison, and a fine up to $10,000.
“Driving while impaired is a bad decision that often results in injury, death and heartache. We encourage people to enjoy these final few weeks of summer, but please make the right decision and drive sober,” New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D'Amico added.
For more information on the program, go online to the state DMV website or the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee website.
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