Nassau County - Long Island, New York

Mangano Announces Increased DWI Patrols On Nassau Roads For New Year’s Holiday

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Tom Krumpter announced today that this upcoming New Year’s weekend, the Nassau County Police Department will participate in a “STOP-DWI” program that will allocate additional police officers to conduct an extensive DWI enforcement initiative.

The “STOP DWI” program is funded by DWI fines collected in Nassau County and will provide the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) and police departments throughout the county with additional funding that will be utilized to implement an effective DWI saturation enforcement strategy that has proven very successful in years past. The NCPD’s Highway Patrol Bureau will coordinate and plan this initiative that will target certain areas throughout the county. There were 54 DWI arrests in Nassau County over last year’s New Year’s holiday.

“New Year’s Eve is typically one of the biggest party nights of the year. We will be targeting drunk drivers and looking to prevent the kind of senseless alcohol-related accidents that, unfortunately, often occur during a holiday. There will be additional police patrols all around Nassau County and chances are if you drive drunk at any point over New Year’s Eve, you will be arrested,” said County Executive Mangano.

Since December 10th, local taxi companies have been offering free rides to those who need a ride home in an effort to deter drunk driving and prevent holiday celebrations from ending in tragedy or arrest. They will continue to offer free rides through January 1, 2012. This public service will be available throughout Nassau County and Eastern Queens by calling (516) 326-9090, and also includes rides back to the driver’s car the next day.

The following companies are participating in the Holiday Free Ride Taxi Initiative:

  • Ollie’s Taxi & Airport Service
  • All Island Transportation
  • Taxi Latino
  • Luxury Transportation
  • Glen Belle Car Service
  • Deluxe Transportation

County Executive Mangano and Acting Commissioner Krumpter would like to remind everyone:

  • If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver before going out.
  • Take mass transit, a cab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home
  • Spend the night where the activity is being held.
  • Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against a drunk driver.

“Make responsible and smart decisions during your celebrations, and plan accordingly so everyone can return home safely to their loved ones. Be smart -a taxi is a much better choice than the backseat of a patrol car,” said Mangano. “Please ‘think before you drink’ this weekend.”