COLONIE – The Colonie Police Department will be employing extra officers this coming weekend through Halloween in an effort to target impaired drivers and get them off the roadways. These extra patrols are in support of the ongoing efforts of Albany County STOP-DWI, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA) to prevent impaired driving crashes, injuries, and deaths.
Halloween has become a very popular time of year for adults to celebrate with costume events, parties, and alcoholic beverages. Some tips to remember for event hosts:
1. Consider collecting keys from guests who are drinking and offering them transportation home.
2. Serve plenty of food and provide non-alcoholic beverage choices.
3. Be prepared to call taxis or rideshares, provide overnight sleeping accommodations, or- if you are sober- drive guests home yourself.
Drivers should use extra caution on Halloween itself due to the increased pedestrian traffic especially after dark and in places with limited lighting or reduced sight distances.
Colonie Police and police across the state will be conducting extra impaired driving patrols in an effort to prevent tragedy. Motorists should have a plan when venturing out to parties or celebrations or anytime they consume alcohol, to avoid getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.