Police will crack down on substance-impaired driving in St. Lawrence County and around the state May 22 to 26, covering the long Memorial Day weekend.

St. Lawrence County Stop-DWI says police agencies throughout the county will participate in conjunction with state agencies.

Memorial Day weekend, the traditional beginning of summer, is historically a deadly period for impaired driving, STOP-DWI said. In addition, there will be parties and barbeques to celebrate graduations, proms, communions and confirmations now that the better weather has finally arrived. This combination of factors equates to more people on the road in general and more people specifically driving impaired, according to the STOP-DWI program.

As part of the crackdowns, St. Lawrence County STOP-DWI will work with the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Potsdam Police Department, Ogdensburg Police and Norwood Police Department in their efforts to catch substance-impaired drivers.

Funding for the initiative comes from the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation through a grant from the governor’s Traffic Safety Committee via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During this time period, law enforcement will vigorously enforce laws related to driving while impaired with special emphasis on impaired driving either by alcohol or drugs.

“There will be no warnings,” said STOP-DWI Coordinator Michele James. “Our message is simple -- Don’t drink or drug and drive. Have a plan. The personal and financial costs are too great.”

Drunk driving fines collected from convicted drunk drivers fund the St. Lawrence County STOP-DWI Program.