The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued 34,245 tickets for various vehicle and traffic law violations, including 1,404 tickets for impaired driving and 6,139 tickets for speeding, during a statewide mobilization targeting impaired drivers over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The enforcement period ran from May 23, 2025, through May 26, 2025.
“Holiday enforcement campaigns are not an attempt at ruining celebrations but rather serve as a reminder to always celebrate responsibly,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “The plan you make to get home safely after celebrating could be the plan that saves your life.”
During the campaign, State and local law enforcement officers utilized sobriety checkpoints and increased patrols to deter, identify and arrest impaired drivers. The statewide initiative was funded by STOP-DWI and the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “The results of this year’s campaign show that far too many people are still making the wrong decision and getting behind the wheel while intoxicated or impaired by drugs. We have no tolerance for this behavior, and our Troopers will remain vigilant to remove these reckless individuals from our roadways. I thank the Department of Motor Vehicles for their shared mission in combating drunk and impaired driving.”
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.
|
Violation |
Number of Tickets |
|
Impaired Driving |
1,404 |
|
Distracted Driving |
1,162 |
|
Move Over |
341 |
|
Speeding |
6,139 |
|
Seatbelt |
3,485 |
|
Other Violations |
21,937 |
|
Grand Total |
34,468 |
To boost enforcement efforts, GTSC launched a statewide media campaign, underscoring the dangers of impaired driving. The $1 million campaign began on Memorial Day and will run through September 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.”
James Quattrone, Chautauqua County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association said, “Hopefully, everyone enjoyed Memorial Day weekend and the start of summer. Most drivers were safe on the roads and had plans to not drive impaired. Unfortunately, some people weren’t safe and drove when they shouldn’t have. Many of these aggressive and dangerous drivers were ticketed and arrested over the holiday weekend. As we welcome the arrival of summer the Sheriffs of New York State ask you to please be courteous behind the wheel and have a plan to not drive impaired.”
The Memorial Day impaired driving enforcement campaign is one of the several coordinated initiatives sponsored by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. 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, Independence 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.
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