State Police issued 651 tickets and arrested 24 people for DWI over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, according to a press release from Gov. Kathy Hochul. The special enforcement period began on Friday, May 24, 2024, and ran through Monday, May 27, 2024.
In addition, troopers issued 171 speeding tickets, 38 distracted driving tickets, and 6 move over violations on Long Island over the extended weekend.
The Governor’s heightened enforcement efforts are part of a larger commitment to protecting drivers, pedestrians and roadway workers.
“New York State has zero tolerance for drunk and impaired driving, and we are doing everything in our power to prevent the senseless tragedies that result from it,” Governor Hochul said.
During the campaign, which was partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices.
“The results of this year’s campaign show that too many people are still getting behind the wheel while intoxicated or impaired by drugs,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said. “This behavior will not be tolerated, and our Troopers will remain vigilant in the removal of these reckless individuals from our roadways.”
Troopers used both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
Statewide, police issued 10,949 tickets and arrested 225 people for DWI on Memorial Day weekend. Troopers investigated 239 crashes, including 58 personal injury crashes. No fatal crashes were reported.
