Navigating Putnam County’s STOP-DWI Campaign: Your Ultimate Resource for Impaired Driving Awareness

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department issued a press release Monday (12/11/23) to announce their participation in a statewide STOP-DWI campaign.

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The release reads:

"Putnam County Sheriff Kevin McConville, Carmel Police Department Chief Anthony Hoffmann and Kent Police Department Chief Kevin Owens announced today that Putnam County police agencies and STOP-DWI Coordinators will participate in special efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving.

While we spend this Holiday Season celebrating with friends and family and looking forward to the blessings of a New Year, law enforcement officers and STOP-DWI programs across New York State will combine their efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. Putnam County will join this effort and participate in special engagement efforts. 

The statewide STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign starts on December 13, 2023 and will end on January 1, 2024.

The STOP-DWI Holiday Season High Visibility Engagement Campaign is one of many statewide initiatives promoted by STOP-DWI NY and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee."

According to Putnam County, NY attorney Josh Martin "a DWI conviction can change the course of your life" adding "penalties for DWI in New York range from loss of driving privileges to time behind bars."

More DWI Facts from Josh Martin Defense 

"In New York, a driver can face arrest and formal criminal charges for driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent. The severity of penalties depends on various factors, including the amount of BAC at the time of arrest and the number of previous DWIs on your record. For example, previous convictions within a certain number of years could result in felony charges. Generally, a first-time DWI charge with a BAC of .08 to .18 percent is a misdemeanor. Penalties may include:

• Fines ranging from $500 to $1,000
• Jail sentence of up to one year
• License revocation for six months

Even if it is your first offense, a BAC of .18 percent or higher at the time of your arrest will result in an aggravated DWI charge. The penalties associated with this are high and even more serious."

The STOP-DWI High Visibility Engagement Campaign is pretty simple, you're going to see a lot of law enforcement over the holiday season and hopefully that is a DWI deterrent. If you need anymore information or want to develop a "Sober Plan" ride home, download their app www.stopdwi.org/mobileapp