Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. was recently joined by the McMorris Family and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Regional Director Paige Carbone to announce a summer STOP DWI campaign, Operation HEAT, which aims to ramp up already increased efforts that include the highest number of DWI patrols and arrests in recent Sheriff’s Office history.
Beginning this July 4 holiday weekend, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will increase DWI patrols and checkpoints, from Huntington to the Hamptons, and continue all summer long to keep Suffolk’s roadways safe during one of the deadliest times of the year. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office DWI team has already had record high impaired driving arrests this year, with a nearly 40% increase in DWI/DUI arrests from 2022.
“THE HEAT IS ON this summer for drunk and drugged drivers in Suffolk County. Our Deputy Sheriffs will be out in full force patrolling the roadways with an eye out for impaired drivers. If you don’t drive sober, you will be pulled over,” said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr.
Sheriff Toulon was joined by the family of Andrew McMorris, who was hit by a drunk driver in 2018 while hiking with his Boy Scout troop. The driver in that crash was found guilty of aggravated vehicular homicide and sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.
“We are proud to stand by Sheriff Toulon, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, and the Suffolk County Police Department in raising awareness of the 100 deadliest days of summer when drunk, drugged and impaired driving numbers are elevated. Just a few months after Andrew’s untimely passing, we turned our grief into action by establishing The Andrew McMorris Foundation in 2019 to honor our son’s memory. The foundation’s core mission is to recognize community-oriented and positive-minded students with scholarships and grants as well as to advocate with lawmakers to create legislation to put an end to drunk, drugged and impaired driving. The Andrew McMorris Foundation asks everyone this summer and always to please make a promise to never drink and drive. Call a cab, call a friend, save a life, start a trend. You don’t have to be a superhero to save someone’s life. Just take the keys,” said Alisa and John McMorris of the Andrew McMorris Foundation.
“Summer is one of the deadliest times of the year on our highways. MADD supports Operation Heat and will join the efforts by providing staff and volunteers to participate in checkpoints across the county this summer. Our mission is to end drunk driving and MADD encourages alternatives, such as designating a non-drinking driver, rideshares, and using public transportation, that can prevent these crimes from happening,” said Paige Carbone, Regional Director MADD NY, NJ, PA
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimated that 462 people were killed on the road in July Fourth car crashes last year with excessive alcohol use the cause of 41% of these fatalities-- the highest among all the major holidays. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) found that the number of drunk driving accidents doubled during the summer months compared to all other months combined.
Sheriff Toulon’s Operation HEAT aims to have further heightened DWI enforcement throughout the summer to help prevent roadway tragedies. Sheriff Toulon also offered these tips:
- If you are hosting a party designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation to ensure guests get home safely.
- If you’ve been drinking and you don’t have a designated driver, then ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a taxi or rideshare service, or just stay for the night.
- Take the keys from a friend if you think they are about to drive while impaired.
For more information on the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, please visit www.SuffolkSheriff.com.