The sheriff joined the family of Andrew McMorris in announcing additional drink-driving patrols and checkpoints in Suffolk this summer, including in the East End.
Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. recently joined the McMorris Family and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Regional Director Paige Carbone in announcing a summer “Stop Drinking Driven, or Operation HEAT, the campaign seeks to build on already ramped-up efforts, including: The largest number of DUI patrols and arrests in the sheriff’s office’s recent history.
Beginning the July 4th holiday weekend, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will increase DUI patrols and checkpoints from Huntington to the Hamptons and continue through the summer to keep Suffolk County safe during the deadliest time of the year One of road safety. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office DWI team has made a record number of DUI arrests this year, with nearly 40 more DWI/DUI arrests compared to 2022 %.
“Drunk and drugged drivers have been very serious in Suffolk County this summer. Our deputies will be patrolling the roads at full capacity, looking out for injured drivers. If you’re driving impaired, you’ll get pulled over,” said Suffolk. said Oak County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr.
The Toulon sheriff was joined by the family of Andrew McMorris, who was hit by a drunk driver while hiking with Boy Scouts in 2018. The driver in that crash was convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide and sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.
“We are proud to join forces with the Toulon Sheriff, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the Suffolk County Police Department to raise awareness of the 100 deadliest days of summer when drunk, drugged and impaired drivers Months after Andrew’s untimely death, we turned our grief into action and in 2019 established the Andrew McMorris Foundation in memory of our son. The foundation’s core mission is to recognize For active-minded students in the community and advocating for legislators to enact legislation to eliminate drunkenness, drug use and drunk driving. The Andrew McMorris Foundation is asking everyone this summer to make a never-drinking and driving pledge. Call a Taxi , call a friend, save a life, start a trend. You don’t have to be a superhero to save someone’s life. “Take the key,” said Alyssa and John McMorris of the Andrew McMorris Foundation. ”
“Summertime is one of the deadliest times of year on our highways. MADD supports Operation Heat and will be providing staff and volunteers at checkpoints across the county this summer. Our mission is to stop drinking driving, MADD encourages alternatives such as designating non-drinking drivers, carpooling and using public transportation to prevent these crimes from happening,” said Paige Carbone, MADD New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania Regional Director
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that of the 462 people killed on July 4th roads last year, 41% were caused by excessive drinking, the highest toll of any major holiday. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) found that the number of drunk driving accidents doubles in the summer compared to the rest of the month combined.
Operation HEAT by the Sheriff of Toulon aims to further strengthen drink driving enforcement throughout the summer to help prevent road tragedies. The Sheriff of Toulon also offered the following tips:
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If you’re throwing a party, appoint a sober driver or arrange for alternative transportation to ensure guests get home safely. -
If you’ve been drinking and don’t have an assigned driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab or carpool service, or just stay overnight. -
If you think your friend will drive in a damaged state, take the keys from your friend.
