NY State Cops To Start Holiday Crackdown On Impaired Drivers

New York state and local law enforcement will have increased patrols out over the Memorial Day weekend to combat drunk, impaired and reckless driving. The STOP-DWI enforcement period starts on Friday and runs through Tuesday.

On Memorial Day weekend in 2019, state troopers arrested 225 people for drinking and driving, issued 13,693 total tickets, and investigated 134 personal injury crashes, which resulted in four fatalities.

"As we remember our fallen heroes this Memorial Day, we can honor their sacrifices by protecting one another through responsible driving," said NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. "It is more important than ever that we all do our part to spare our hospitals from avoidable emergencies. Remember to have a plan to get home safely. If you are driving, put your phone away, avoid distractions, and follow the rules of the road."

As New York slowly re-opens on the down slope of the new coronavirus pandemic, drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols during this holiday weekend.

The state continues to see downward trend in coronavirus-related hospitalizations, intubations, intensive care admissions and deaths.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said local governments can decide whether to have small ceremonies, with 10 people or fewer, for the annual day of remembrance that honors those who died serving the United States during peace and war. He said he hopes the events will be televised and that vehicle parades are both appropriate and "should be encouraged."

"This is important to many, many families all across this state and the nation," Cuomo said.

Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

Troopers will also conduct an underage drinking enforcement detail.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their “Have a Plan” mobile app is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list.

It also provides a way to report a suspected impaired driver.