NEW YORK — Law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued 49,843 tickets for various vehicle and traffic law violations, including 1,563 tickets for impaired driving and 9,103 tickets for speeding, during a statewide mobilization targeting impaired drivers over the Independence Day holiday week, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) announced in a press release. The enforcement period ran from Monday, June 30, through Monday, July 6.
“Enforcement efforts like this one are so important to preventing tragedies during times of celebration,” Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said in the release. “The easiest decision anyone can make is to drive safely or plan for a safe ride. If you aren’t sober, call for a ride. Don’t let friends or family drive impaired. Take it slow — don’t speed. And keep your phone away.”
To boost enforcement efforts, GTSC launched a statewide media campaign, underscoring the dangers of impaired driving, officials said. The $1 million campaign began on Memorial Day and will run through Sep. 1, coinciding with the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, a time when parties and concerts are known to contribute to more impaired-related crashes and deaths.
The campaign utilized Instagram, Facebook, Reddit and X, as well as streaming video and audio services with display ads with a tag line of “Impaired driving destroys more than just your night. Don’t make a mess of your life. Make a plan for a safe ride.”
“I commend the efforts of our Troopers and partners in law enforcement who worked through the Fourth of July holiday to keep our roads safe,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said in the release. “Enforcements such as this serve as a stark reminder that we will not tolerate drivers who put others in danger. The State Police will continue to work with our partners at the Department of Motor Vehicles to intercept the detrimental tragedies caused by impaired and reckless driving.”
During the campaign, State and local law enforcement officers utilized sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols to deter, identify and arrest impaired drivers as well as targeting speeding and aggressive drivers across the state, the release said. Below is a breakdown of the total tickets that were issued.
Impaired Driving: 1,563
Distracted Driving: 1,926
Move Over: 612
Speeding: 9,103
Seatbelt: 2,796
Other Violations: 33,843
Grand Total : 49,843
James Quattrone, Chautauqua County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association said in the release, “Many people around the State celebrated the July 4th weekend with family and friends. Most ended their fun days by being safe and sober behind the wheel. Some people chose to drive aggressively or impaired and risked losing their own independence by being a danger to other road users.
“Law enforcement ticketed, and in some cases arrested, many of these drivers to keep people safe,” he continued. “The Sheriffs of New York State want you to continue enjoying summer, but in a safe way with a plan to not drive impaired.”
“We hope everyone enjoyed the Independence Day Holiday weekend. The majority of drivers were safe on the roads across the state and had plans to not drive impaired,” Chief Shawn Heubusch, City of Batavia Police Department and New York State Assn. of Chiefs of Police President said in the release. “Unfortunately, some people made poor choices and drove when they shouldn’t have, resulting in many being ticketed or arrested.”
The Independence Day impaired driving enforcement campaign is one of the several coordinated initiatives sponsored by the GTSC to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes, officials said. These targeted mobilizations provide resources to law enforcement statewide to target underage drinking and increase DWI patrols and sobriety check points during the campaign period. Other impaired driving campaigns occur around St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving and periods of time from August to September and December to January.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.
Learn more about GTSC, and follow the GTSC conversation on Facebook, X and Instagram.
