Monroe County’s STOP-DWI Program, Rochester Against Impaired Driving (RAID), and family members of DWI victims held the annual “Lights On For Life” motorcade on Saturday, December 3.
The motorcade started at the Victims’ Rights Memorial located in Beikirch Park at Highland Park. After driving through the community, the motorcade concluded at The Clubhouse within Durand Eastman Park.
“Driving while intoxicated or impaired is irresponsible, deadly and avoidable. The solution takes law enforcement, government and our community working together to spread awareness of the dangers and consequences of driving under the influence,” said County Executive Adam Bello.
“Our annual motorcade highlights the kickoff to National Impaired Driving Prevention Month,” said Monroe County STOP-DWI Coordinator Lindsay Tomidy. “Our team, and the many wonderful agencies we partner with, see firsthand the impact of impaired driving. We need to hold each other accountable for this preventable crime to save lives and prevent life-altering injury. Last year, we lost 16 community members to impaired driving — and one victim is one too many.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration projects a 10.5% increase in motor vehicle traffic deaths in 2021 compared to 2020 – the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the largest annual percentage increase in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history. Monroe County experienced a 14.3% increase for traffic related fatalities in 2021 and impaired driving accounted for 29% of the lives lost.
The “Lights On For Life” motorcade honors DWI victims and their families and raises awareness of the dangers and consequences of drugged and drunk driving during the holiday season.
To learn more, visit https://www.monroecounty.gov/safety-stopdwi.
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