CHENANGO COUNTY – Chenango Chairman of the Board Lawrence Wilcox has announced that the City of Norwich, Oxford PD, New Berlin PD, Afton PD, and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office will all participate in a special enforcement effort to crackdwon on impaired driving.

The statewide STOP-DWI crackdown efforts start July 3 and will end July 6. Fourth of July extended weekend is historically a deadly period for impaired driving. This year, the 4th of July falls on a Saturday, so officials expect heavy traveling to begin on Thursday and festivities to begin on Friday and run through Monday.

Americans love to celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends, food and fireworks, but all too often the festivities turn tragic on the nation’s roads. The fact is, this iconic American holiday is also one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to drunk-driving crashes. According to data from NHTSA, during July 4th holiday period over the last five years (2009-2013), 750 people lost their lives in crashes involving drivers with a BAC of .08 or more. These fatalities account for 39 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities over this same five-year period. The New York State Police, County Sheriff and municipal law enforcement agencies will collaborate across the state and will be out in force in this coordinated effort to aggressively target those who put lives in danger.