New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Announces 134,438 Tickets Issued During Statewide Holiday Enforcement Mobilization

The New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee announced today that 134,438 tickets were issued statewide as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” traffic enforcement period over the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays. The initiative targeting impaired and reckless drivers ran from Wednesday, December 10, 2025 through Thursday, January 1, 2026.  

“The consequences of impaired and reckless driving can simply be avoided by making a plan for a safe and sober ride,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “These infractions put millions of people unnecessarily at risk as they are 100% preventable. I want to thank our law enforcement partners for working through the holiday season and taking time away from their families to remove reckless drivers from our roadways and to keep New Yorkers safe.” 

As part of the enforcement, law enforcement officers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Below is a breakdown of the total tickets that were issued.   

These traffic enforcement campaigns are funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, which promotes and supports participation of law enforcement agencies at the state, county and local levels in these high-visibility enforcement efforts. Grant funding is intended to provide for supplemental traffic enforcement and engagement during those times of the year, like the holidays, when there is greater potential for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs to be on the road.

During last year’s crackdown, law enforcement statewide issued 129,686 tickets. Of those tickets 23,339 were for speeding, 4,205 were for distracted driving, 3,230 were for seatbelts, 981 for the “Move Over Law” and 4,264 individuals were arrested for impaired driving. 93,667 drivers were ticketed for other infractions. 

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “While the results of this campaign show tremendous work by our Troopers and law enforcement partners, they also show that many people still risk their lives and the lives of others by making poor choices while driving. The State Police remain committed to keeping our roadways safe for all. I applaud the dedicated work of our Troopers and thank the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for their continued support.” 

James Quattrone, Chautauqua County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association, said, “As another holiday season wraps up, hopefully everyone enjoyed time with family and friends.  Driving safe and sober was a great way to start off the new year, and most of you did just that.  For those that didn’t, law enforcement ticketed and arrested many dangerous drivers. The Sheriffs of New York State hope you enjoyed the holidays and start of a new year and thank those of you who chose to not drive impaired.”        

New York State Association of Chiefs of Police President and Mount Pleasant Police Department Paul Oliva said, “The majority of motorists drove safely during the holiday season. However, there were those who still continued to make poor choices and operated their vehicles recklessly, and in some cases, impaired.  This resulted in many being ticketed or arrested during the most recent enforcement initiatives. Local law enforcement agencies will continue to monitor our highways throughout the 2026 calendar year to identify aggressive and impaired drivers and enforce the laws of New York State to keep our roadways safe for everyone.” 

New Yorkers struggling with 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 Office of Addiction Services and Supports Treatment Availability Dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the NYS OASAS website.  

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