NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Police will be out in force on the roads this weekend to combat drunken driving and address a rise in traffic fatalities.
On Long Island, the Suffolk County Sheriff is adding more DWI patrols and checkpoints.
"Our deputy sheriffs will be out on the roadways for anyone who thinks about drinking and driving, or being drugged and driving," said Suffolk Coutny Sheriff Errol Toulon. "Not only do they risk harming themselves, but harming others on the road."
He urges residents to plan ahead for someone to be the designated driver or call a ride sharing service.
"I strongly suggest that you take an Uber, call a friend, call a family member or just stay where you're at if you feel like you've drank more than what you should have," Toulon said. "We will not tolerate anyone driving on our roads intoxicated or being drugged and driving."
Hosts who are throwing a 4th of July party are also encouraged to do their part and make sure no one drives home drunk.
In New York City, the NYPD is deploying new strategies to curb a disturbing rise in fatal crashes, focusing on deadly stretches across the five boroughs.
With so many more hitting the road, the department is changing its usual July 4th enforcement strategy, said Chief of Transportation Kim Royster.
"We are focusing on deploying our officers in those areas where we've seen fatalities, where we've seen people speeding and also leaving the scene," Royster said. "We are now focused more on this particular trend that's happening around the city."
Specifically, Greenpoint and Williamsburg in Brooklyn, the 108th and 114th precincts in Queens, and along Third Avenue in Manhattan.
Officers are also cracking down on cars and motorcycles with modified exhausts.
"But also doubling down and making sure that the auto mechanic shops are aware that this is illegal," Royster said.
Highway patrol officers have issued 60 summonses for loud vehicles in the last two weeks alone.
Officers will also be focused on cracking down on impaired drivers. Royster wants holiday revelers to know that "the same rules that apply to driving drunk are the same rules that apply to smoking cannabis."
Several officers have received special state certification in detecting drugged drivers.