By Hank Russell
Local law enforcement at the county and state levels was out in full force during the Thanksgiving week enforcement period, which ran from November 23 to December 1. The crackdown resulted in numerous drunk driving arrests and over 1,000 tickets for various traffic infractions, including seatbelt violations, distracted driving and violating the Move Over Law.
New York State Police (NYSP) arrested 27 people on Long Island for drunk driving during the Thanksgiving week enforcement period. Based on NYSP statistics, Long Island made up for approximately 11% of all DWI arrests statewide. There were 251 arrests for drunk driving in New York State during that week.
In addition, state troopers issued 868 tickets on Long Island for various traffic violations. Long Island received the second-fewest tickets this Thanksgiving holiday, next to New York City with 522. Of the 868 tickets issued, 329 were for speeding, 42 were for distracted driving, 36 were for child restraint and seatbelt violations, and five were for violations of the Move Over Law.
During the nine-day enforcement period, the Suffolk County Police Department made 34 drunk driving arrests and gave out 4,245 tickets. One hundred thirty-four were for distracted driving, 80 were for seatbelt violations and 24 were for the Move Over Law. The rest were for other violations. Suffolk County Sheriffs arrested seven people for DWI and gave out 156 tickets — 10 for speeding, one each for distracted driving and violation of child restraint seats. The rest were for other infractions.
Data from the Nassau County Police Department and Nassau County Sheriff’s Department were not available as of press time.