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In an announcement on Friday, Oct. 11, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul warned residents that the New York State Police and local law enforcement will be conducting special traffic enforcement details during the holiday weekend to catch speeding and impaired drivers.
The enforcement campaign began on Thursday, Oct. 10, and will continue through Monday, Oct. 14, according to Hochul's office. During this time, authorities expect increased traffic thanks to fall tourism.
Over the weekend, travelers will likely encounter sobriety checkpoints and drunk driving patrols. Authorities will also look for drivers using their phones, officials said.
"The tragic consequences of impaired and reckless driving are avoidable if we all make safety our top priority," Hochul said on Friday, adding, "I echo law enforcement in reminding drivers to obey posted speed limits, move over for emergency and maintenance vehicles, and do not drive if you are impaired."
As part of the enforcement detail, troopers will use both marked cruisers and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles that blend in with normal traffic.
The effort is definitely not without good reason: during Columbus Day weekend 2023, State Police issued over 11,500 traffic tickets, nearly 5,000 of which were for speeding. Additionally, 138 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated.
"By making safe choices, the injuries and deaths caused by speeding and drunk driving are completely preventable," said New York State Police Superintendent Steven James, who continued, "As always, we will have zero tolerance for those who endanger others by driving recklessly.”
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