HUNTINGTON STATION, NY – The Town of Huntington and Suffolk County Police Department 2nd Precinct announced an expanded drunk-driving prevention initiative for the holiday season on Tuesday, November 25th, with a new sign and a mangled car recently involved in an intoxicated driving accident. The demonstration at Fair Meadows Park on the corner of Pulaski Road and Park Avenue in Huntington Station emphasizes that impaired driving is deadly and entirely preventable.
Officials highlighted emotional stories from local families affected by drunk driving to underscore the human cost of these incidents.
A Unified Effort to Prevent Impaired Driving This Holiday Season
Working closely with the Suffolk County Police Department’s 2nd Precinct, the town plans increased patrols and enforcement, paired with strong public-education efforts encouraging residents to use ride shares, designated drivers, and advance planning. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is partnering in the initiative, with Paige Carbone, MADD Regional Executive Director noting the heightened risks around Thanksgiving and “Blackout Wednesday,” when national crash statistics sharply spike. MADD also highlighted upcoming vehicle safety technology mandated by the HALT Act, projected to save thousands of lives once implemented. The organization urged both social hosts and community members to help one another avoid impaired driving through safe-ride arrangements and responsible decision-making.
Local Stories Underscore the Human Impact of Drunk and Distracted Driving
Reinforcing the campaign’s message, local officials and guests shared personal messages of the far-reaching impact of drunk or distracted driving. Councilman Sal Ferro spoke about his father’s tragic death at the hands of a drunk driver. Andre Sorrentino, Superintendent of Highways said “I shouldn’t be here today” as he was a victim in 3 different serious car accidents – hit by drunk or drugged drivers, one a head-on collision. Councilman Dr. Dave Bennardo encourages everyone to “think of the one person” you can never live without before getting behind the wheel after drinking or consuming substances. A moving tribute from Lynn Pallmeyer, who lost her sister Karen Holden to a drunk driver, reminded residents of the lasting emotional impact on families and the importance of education, empathy, and offender accountability.
Supervisor Ed Smyth and the Town Board also called on bars and restaurants to play an active role by ensuring staff are trained to recognize and manage intoxicated patrons, arranging safe rides, and refusing service when necessary. In addition to impaired driving, officials addressed distracted driving – such as phone use or eating behind the wheel – as another major contributor to preventable crashes.
Finally, Barry Zaks, Director of Huntington Drug and Alcohol Counseling Center, highlighted local addiction-support resources, encouraging residents struggling with alcohol use to seek help from the many resources available.
No Excuses: The Final Safety Decision Is Always Yours
While Huntington’s enforcement, education, community partnerships, and support services form a comprehensive strategy to keep Huntington’s roads safe during the holidays, the final life-saving decision is ultimately the one each of us makes the moment we get behind the wheel. No matter how many resources or safeguards exist, safety comes down to choosing not to drive impaired – ever. Understanding how long alcohol or cannabis can affect your system is essential to making responsible choices.
Alcohol: Know the Real Timeline of Impairment
On average, the body processes one standard alcoholic drink per hour, though this varies by weight, gender, age, metabolism, and whether you’ve eaten.
- Rule of thumb: Wait at least one full hour for every standard drink consumed.
- Standard drink: 12 oz. beer (5%), 5 oz. wine (12%), or 1.5 oz. liquor (40%).
- Heavy drinking: You may need 8 hours or more before alcohol fully leaves your system.
- Safest approach: Plan ahead. Use a designated driver or rideshare—because the only truly safe BAC for driving is 0.00%.
Cannabis: Impairment Lasts Longer Than You Think
Cannabis affects everyone differently, and edibles—especially—can take hours to peak. There is no reliable self-test for cannabis impairment.
- Smoking/vaping (<35mg THC): Wait at least 6 hours before driving.
- Edibles (<18mg THC): Wait at least 8 hours before driving.
- Higher doses or mixing with alcohol: You may need 12 hours or more, sometimes even until the next day.
Bottom line: If you feel different, you drive different. Perceived sobriety is not the same as actual driving ability. When in doubt, don’t drive – find another way home. The safest choice will always be the one that protects you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. “Life is about choices. Please make the right choice and don’t drink and drive.” – Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci.
Photography by Diane Schaber. Videography by June Margolin.
