Drunk Driving Statistics in New York

The state of New York takes traffic safety seriously. That’s especially true when it comes to impaired drivers. The New York State Highway Safety Program aims to decrease the number of alcohol-involved traffic fatalities and injuries. And according to the 2017 Highway Safety Report, they’re having some success.

Take a look at this chart from the report:

As you can see, the three-year moving average is for both drunk driving fatalities and drunk driving injuries is on a steady decline since 2012.

Drunk driving fatalities accounted for 28% of all traffic fatalities in New York in both 2015 and 2016. According to the report, that means New York is among the states with the lowest alcohol-impaired fatality rates. “At the core of the state’s impaired driving program is STOP-DWI. Through this program, fines collected from impaired driving offenders are returned to the counties where the violations occurred to support enforcement and other impaired driving programs at the local level “

New York Efforts to Reduce Drunk Driving

New York uses state and federal funding for a number of programs aimed at reducing drunk driving. In addition to statewide law enforcement efforts. These include:

• Statewide public information campaigns
• Training programs
• Multi-agency advisory groups
• Research studies and projects to enhance state agency programs
• The STOP-DWI Foundation’s “Have a Plan” mobile app

Driver Surveys

The state also surveyed drivers over the same five year period regarding drunk driving. Check this out:

• 84%-89% of the survey respondents in each of the five years said they had not driven within two hours after consuming alcohol in the past 30 days
• 59%-62% of the respondents each year thought a driver would “always” or “most of the time” be arrested for drinking and driving

As is the case across the country, in New York, men are consistently more likely than women to drink and drive and age makes a difference as well. From the survey:

• Drivers who reported driving within two hours after drinking at least once in the last 30 days included drivers under the legal drinking age. In 2017, 20% of the drivers under age 21 reported driving after drinking. That’s an increase from 14% in 2016
• Compared to 2016, the proportion of drivers who said they had driven after drinking in 2017 increased in the three age groups between 21 and 44 and among drivers 55-64 years of age. The largest increase occurred in the 21-24 age group (from 11% to 17%) and the largest drop occurred in the 45-54 age group (from 14% to 10%)

Ignition Interlock Device Law in New York

New York State also has some of the toughest laws in the country when it comes to DWI and ignition interlock devices. The state has some very specific requirements for ignition interlock devices:

• Ignition interlock devices are mandatory, even for first offenders
• If you are convicted and sentenced for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), you must have an ignition interlock device installed on every vehicle you own or operate
• The ignition interlock device must remain in your vehicle(s) for at least six months, more for aggravated circumstances
• You will have an “ignition interlock” restriction added to your driver’s license

In addition to the basic requirements of being able to give accurate test results and record them, the state of New York requires ignition interlock devices, to be camera-equipped, and in some cases, GPS-equipped, so the monitoring agency can ensure you do not try and circumvent the device by having someone else take the breath test for you. The device will take a picture of you each time you are required to take a breath test.

Depending on the model of IID your county requires you to get installed, it may provide real-time data reporting to your monitoring agency, as well as GPS tracking of your vehicle.

ALCOLOCK Ignition Interlock Installation Locations in New York

ALCOLOCK has numerous ignition interlock installation locations in New York. The installation of your Ignition interlock device(s) is relatively quick and easy. Keep in mind you’ll need to have someone drive you and your vehicle to the ALCOLOCK service location where you scheduled your appointment. You’ll be able to drive the vehicle off the lot once we install the device.

Your IID installation appointment will last for about an hour. During that time, your service technician will install the electronic control unit (ECU) and will calibrate the handheld device to you, specifically. They will also train you on how to properly use the device. If you share your vehicle with another driver and they will be driving it while the IID is installed, bring them with you to the installation appointment so they can receive training, too.

To schedule your ignition interlock device installation, you can call the service center nearest you directly, or you can call us at 866-700-9300. For general questions, or to schedule your installation online, you can also use our contact form, and someone will get back to you shortly.