Holiday Lifesaver Weekend begins

State Police, village and county police agencies are working together to reduce deaths and injuries on highways this coming weekend.

Participating are 49 state police and highway patrol agencies, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario Provincial Police, Quebec Police Force, and municipal and county police agencies in the United States and Canada.

National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend ends at midnight on Sunday, December 20.

Law enforcement officials have chosen the weekend before Christmas because it is historically marked by increased travel and alcohol consumption. The coordinated DWI enforcement initiative will result in a safer and happier Holiday season nationwide, insuring that families are not needlessly killed by drunk or drugged drivers during this joyous time.

Program participants see six basic objectives in attaining this goal:

* Maximize deployment and visibility of all police patrols during the weekend period.

* Increase interagency cooperation and coordination of Lifesaver activities.

* Emphasize service and assistance to the motoring public.

* Identify and remove impaired drivers from the highways.

* Enforce safety belt and child safety seat laws.

* Promote media coverage of the project for enhanced public awareness.

State Police and other agencies will use a variety of techniques, including roving DWI saturation patrols, fixed sobriety checkpoints, speed and aggressive driver details, and roving seat belt enforcement patrols throughout the weekend.

Participating agencies in Wayne County include State Police from Newark, Williamson, Walworth and Wolcott stations; Newark, Lyons, Palmyra, Macedon, Clyde, Wolcott, Sodus and Savannah Police Departments; and the Sheriff's Department.

Pictured are Newark Police Investigator Gary Ver Straete, Macedon Chief John Ellis, Zone 2 State Police Commander Don Swain, Clyde Chief Clint Gary, Sodus Officer Bill Critchfield, Trooper Larry Wolkonowski. (S. Marcano photo)

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