Extra Nassau cops staff holiday 'STOP-DWI'

Drive drunk over the holiday weekend, be warned: Nassau County will have extra officers on the roads for an enforcement campaign throughout the Labor Day weekend and on Sept. 8, officials said.

County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Nassau County Police Commissioner Thomas V. Dale Tuesday announced the "STOP-DWI" initiative, which is funded by state grant money through fines collected in Nassau County against those convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Highway patrol officers will target drunken drivers "looking to prevent the kind of senseless alcohol-related accidents that often occur during a holiday weekend," Mangano said in a statement. "If you drive drunk this weekend, you will be arrested."

Last year, from 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, through 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6, there were 54 DWI arrests.

During the holiday weekend, additional officers will be on patrol Friday, Saturday and the next Saturday, Sept. 8, county officials said.

Dale said violators would be shown no leniency and reminded those who plan to drink follow these tips:

If you plan to drink, choose a designated driver before going out;

Take mass transit, a cab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home;

Spend the night where the activity is being held;

Always buckle up -- the best defense against a drunken driver.