County Executive Adam Bello urges all drivers and passengers to stay alert and prioritize safety on the roads during the busy Memorial Day weekend

Monroe County, New York – As Memorial Day weekend approaches—a time when roads are packed with travelers eager to kick off summer—Monroe County officials are putting safety front and center. County Executive Adam Bello is reminding drivers and passengers to stay alert, buckle up, and avoid impaired driving as local law enforcement prepares to ramp up patrols during one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year.

“Every single day of the year, drivers are encouraged to make safety their top priority by wearing a seat belt – and ensuring all passengers wear their seat belts,” said County Executive Adam Bello. “While driving, stay alert, do not use any devices, and do not use drugs and alcohol before getting behind the wheel. We want everyone to get home safely from their holiday celebrations.”

To reinforce this message, Monroe County’s police departments will be increasing patrols from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26. This heightened enforcement aims to crack down on dangerous behaviors such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and reckless driving. The local effort aligns with broader state and national safety campaigns.

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One of those initiatives is the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign, a nationwide effort running from May 19 through June 1. Monroe County officers are joining in, ensuring seat belt use remains top of mind for every driver and passenger. With more vehicles expected on the road than almost any other time of year, safety advocates stress that even a single oversight can lead to tragedy.

The statistics speak for themselves. Buckling up remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious injury or death in a crash. According to safety experts, seat belts help absorb the force of a collision, keeping occupants from being thrown from a vehicle or hitting hard surfaces inside it. And since November 2020, New York State law has required every passenger in a vehicle—regardless of age or where they’re seated—to wear a seat belt. Children must also be secured in appropriate safety restraints based on their height and weight.

Alongside seat belt enforcement, the county is doubling down on impaired driving prevention. “Impaired driving is completely preventable,” said Bello. “Before you have even one drink, designate a sober driver.” The message is simple: plan ahead. If you’re going out, use a ride-share service, call a cab, or ask a sober friend or family member for a lift. And if it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take the responsibility seriously—lives depend on it.

To help make those safe choices even easier, the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation have introduced a free mobile app called “Have a Plan.” The app allows users to pre-arrange transportation, find nearby taxi services, and access other resources in real time. It’s a modern tool for solving an age-old problem—and it could make the difference between life and death.

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In Monroe County, the message this Memorial Day weekend is loud and clear: safety comes first. Whether you’re heading to a backyard barbecue, a lakefront picnic, or just driving across town, take a moment to think about how you’ll get there—and how you’ll get home.

You can learn more about impaired driving prevention or find local safety resources at http://monroecounty.gov/safety-stopdwi.

As thousands prepare to hit the road, County Executive Bello’s appeal is simple but urgent: don’t let carelessness or poor choices turn celebration into catastrophe. Buckle up. Stay sober. Keep your eyes on the road. And above all, make safety the one thing you never forget to pack this holiday weekend.