**New York State Troopers plan to increase their presence for three days this weekend, expecting more drunk drivers on the roads.**

Super Bowl weekend is known as a time to gather with friends, have a party (or parties) and watch some football. Unfortunately, some folks feel the need to get behind the wheel after they have a few drinks, increasing their risk of having a collision and injuring themselves or someone else.

This year the New York State police are planning to catch possible drunk drivers in the act. They are increasing patrols and setting up check points around the state in an effort to keep the roadways safe from drunk drivers. Drivers who are believed to be under the influence of alcohol will be stopped and asked to submit to a few roadside sobriety tests. If the driver is unable to successfully complete those tests the officer will place the driver under arrest and transport them to the local jail where a blood alcohol content test will be conducted to determine just how inebriated they are. Drivers who are convicted of driving under the influence face stiff fines, additional points on their license and the possibility of jail time or even suspension of their driving privileges.

Driving under the influence continues to be a leading cause of traffic fatalities around the nation. In 2010 more than 10,000 people lost their lives in traffic crashes caused by a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Even as distracted driving becomes a greater danger on the roadways the dangers of driving under the influence remain.

Drivers with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above not only run the risk of receiving a citation for driving under the influence, they also increase their chances of being involved in a fatal collision. So if you plan to party this weekend in New York, or any where, do yourself and everyone else on the roads, a favor and arrange for a sober ride home.

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