Nassau County Brings Back DWI Enforcement Unit

To drive down death and injury from impaired motorists, Nassau County is returning its Selective Enforcement Team (SET) to the roads.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 1,000 New Yorkers died in alcohol-associated accidents in 2012.

Nassau County law enforcement developed SET to combat drunk drivers. The unit operated between 2008 and 2011. During its active term, SET made more than 2,000 arrests each year, helping keep dangerous drivers off the road.

When the unit was deactivated in 2011, arrest rates declined. In 2012, approximately 1,500 motorists were charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI). Drunk driving fatalities and crashes declined only slightly after that time.

In May, law enforcement announced re-deployment of SET. Acting Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter notes, “We’re adding 3,000 patrols, it’ll end up being over 20,000 hours of patrol will be added to preventing drunk drivers from getting on the road.”

The unit is expected to provide help with activities including:

• Random DWI checkpoints
• Analysis and enforcement at intersections and locations with high DWI rates

Funding for the $1 million initiative is expected to come from penalties and fines paid by motorists convicted of drunk driving. States District Attorney Kathleen Rice, “To see one life lost to a drunk or drugged driver is one too many. This new initiative will save lives and help keep our roads safer as we approach the summer months.”

No drunk driving death is an accident. This summer, do not drive impaired and steer clear — if you can — of those who do. When you have questions about injury by a drunk driver in New York, seek experienced legal advice.