Use Extra Caution Driving in Binghamton For Big Game Weekend

Are you excited for the big game on Sunday? I would be if there was a New York (New Jersey) team playing. Bills, Giants, or even the Jets would make me happy. But I will root for my neighbors in the Keystone State. I'm guessing it will be an exciting game.

Many people locally and nationally will be celebrating this weekend for the big game,  and while we hope everyone has fun, as a reminder, this week, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York State Police along with local law enforcement agencies are participating in the national enforcement initiative on impaired driving this week, through Sunday, February 9th.

I know firsthand, having passed several State Police vehicles during my mid-week trip to the Elmira-Corning area and back. This initiative is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, targeting underage drinking enforcement, along with increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify, and arrest impaired drivers, according to Governor Hochul's announcement.

As football fans gather across our state to watch the game on Sunday, I’m directing State Police and local law enforcement to elevate their enforcement action to protect New Yorkers from the dangers of impaired and reckless driving. We have no tolerance for anyone endangering themselves or others on the road, and I encourage everyone to take the responsible steps necessary to keep our communities safe. - New York State Governor Kathy Hochul

Governor Hochul and the New York State Police have a few safety tips for those of you who are celebrating this weekend.

• Always drive 100 percent sober. Even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many.
• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver or call a taxi or rideshare.  If you don’t drink, offer to drive guests home.
• If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take your job seriously, and don’t drink.
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
• If you have a friend who is about to drink and drive, take the keys away and let a sober driver get your friend home safely.

Keep in mind that if you serve a guest alcohol and he or she gets in a crash that night, you could be held liable.

And before you head home, be aware of the road conditions. We are still in the midst of winter, and snowy, icy, slippery roads are your enemy. As of this writing, the National Weather Service is calling for mostly cloudy skies on Sunday with a high of 30 for the Binghamton area, but you know that could change quickly in our slice of the U.S. Northeast.

Have fun this weekend, celebrate responsibly, and enjoy the game!