14 Charged With DWI On LI During Thanksgiving Weekend Crackdown

LONG ISLAND, NY — State police released the results of the Thanksgiving weekend enforcement, which included 14 DWI arrests on Long Island, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday. Police conducted the traffic enforcement initiative during the holiday between Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Sunday, Nov. 29.

During that time across New York, state troopers arrested a total of 155 people for DWI and investigated 757 crashes, including three fatalities, during the holiday period. The three fatal crashes that police responded to occurred in Allegany, Nassau and Orange counties.

"Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs endangers every single traveler on the road, and it simply will not be tolerated," Cuomo said. "Not only during the holidays, but at all times, the message is clear - be responsible and drive sober or make plans for finding a safe ride home. It's literally that simple and by following those rules, our roads will be safer and lives will be saved."

On Long Island, in addition to the 14 DWI arrests, officers issued 842 tickets including 249 for speeding, 26 for distracted driving, and 59 for improper child restraint/seat belts.

State police increased patrols statewide during this crackdown, which also include fixed sobriety checkpoints. In addition, an underage drinker initiative and the "Operation Hang Up" initiative, which targets distracted drivers by using undercover police cars to find drivers talking or texting on cellphones, were conducted.