Albany, NY - October 27, 2017 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the New York State Police and local law enforcement will increase patrols to crack down on impaired driving and underage drinking through Halloween. The enforcement campaign runs from Friday, October 27 through Wednesday, November 1, 2017, and is funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. Motorists who are traveling this weekend can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and additional DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. State Police will also be targeting the illegal sale of alcohol to minors through underage drinker enforcement details statewide.
"Once again, New York State Police and local law enforcement will be out in full force this Halloween weekend to crack down on impaired and distracted driving," Governor Cuomo said. "I urge all New Yorkers to stay safe, make responsible decisions and not get behind the wheel when under the influence."
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. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated. Drivers should also remember to "move over" for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
Superintendent George P. Beach II said, "Halloween can be a fun holiday, but it can also be deadly when someone makes the wrong choice to drink and drive. Children and their parents will be out walking and we urge drivers to be aware of this and exercise caution. Our message is simple: Never drink and drive. Troopers will be out in force to ticket and arrest those who threaten the safety of our roadways and endanger the lives of those who travel them."
"On Halloween and every day, it's important to remember that the mistake of drinking and driving can haunt you for the rest of your life," said Terri Egan, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Acting GTSC Chair. "We urge New Yorkers who plan to celebrate on Halloween and any evening to download the free 'Have a Plan' app so they know how they will get safely home."
The "Have a Plan" app was made available by GTSC and the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation. The app allows people to locate and call a taxi or ride share service, program a designated-driver list, and educate themselves on Blood Alcohol Content levels. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties and even enables app users to report a suspected impaired driver. The app is free and available for Apple, Android, and Windows smart phones. You can download the app here.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nationwide pedestrian fatalities are at their highest in 26 years with 5,987 fatalities in 2016. Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to the high number of impaired drivers on the roads.
During last year's initiative there were 1,142 accidents, more than 166 of which resulted in someone being injured. Four people were killed. Troopers also arrested 245 people for DWI and issued more than 12,327 tickets for speeding, distracted driving and other traffic violations.