State Troopers are Out to Crackdown on Drunk, Reckless, and Texting Drivers this Weekend

By Yehudit Garmaise

       To prevent the dangerous combination of traffic and drinking, which are both increased throughout Thanksgiving weekend, from threatening New Yorkers’ safety, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that, starting today and through Sunday, Nov. 25, the New York state police and local law enforcement agencies will again work together to crackdown on unsafe driving practices. 

    During the 2019 Thanksgiving weekend, state troopers gave out 5,168 speeding tickets and arrested 212 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol, a crime that results in fines of up to $10,000.

    For the next five days throughout New York state troopers will be joining regular police patrols statewide to staff “sobriety checkpoints,” to identify underage drinking and drunk drivers.

   "While we expect lower traffic volumes this year due to New Yorkers taking COVID-19 precautions and limiting large gatherings, we must still ensure that those who do travel, get to their destination safely," Gov. Cuomo said. "State troopers and local law enforcement will be out in force working to prevent needless crashes caused by those who get behind the wheel while impaired. I urge drivers to follow the law and make safety your top priority while out on the roads."

  Just as driving while intoxicated can be deadly, so can driving while texting and talking on phones. Throughout this weekend last year, state police issued 634 tickets for drivers who were distracted by talking or texting on their phones.

   Instead of driving regular patrol cars, some state troopers will be driving Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) patrol vehicles that better target drivers talking or texting on handheld devices.

   Although the CITE cars are unmarked and blend in with traffic, when they locate drivers who are distracted by their phones, the cars’ emergency lighting is activated, and the CITE patrol unmistakably appear as emergency police cars.

    T"Throughout the Thanksgiving weekend, troopers will be highly visible and on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers,” said Keith M. Corlett, the superintendent of New York State police. “Make safety your top priority - follow posted speed limits, make sure everyone is buckled up, put down your smart phones, and don't get behind the wheel if you are impaired. Planning ahead for a safe ride home is always the best choice.”

   "It is up to all of us to prevent impaired driving tragedies this holiday season, so I urge everyone to do your part to make sure our roads are safe,” echoed Mark J. F. Schroeder, the commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. “Be responsible, have a plan, and don't let loved ones drive drunk or drugged, and together we can protect everyone on the roads. It's that simple."