By Hank Russell
New York State troopers wrote out 3,379 tickets to drivers on Long Island during the holiday week, according to statistics recently released by the New York State Police (NYSP). The enforcement was part of the “Drive High Get a DUI” national campaign, which ran from December 10, 2025 to January 1, 2026.
Throughout the enforcement, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices. Troopers also used both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who were violating the law. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
As part of the enforcement, troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Below is a sampling of the total tickets that were issued on Long Island:
- 54 people were arrested for DWI
- 945 motorists were ticketed for speeding
- 301 tickets were issued for distracted driving, second only to NYS Thruway (497)
- 88 drivers were cited for seat belt and/or child restraint violations, the second-lowest to New York City (56)
- 42 tickets for violating the Move Over Law, a distant second to New York City (6)
- 1,949 tickets were issued for other various violations
“State Police remind motorists that holiday enforcement campaigns are conducted to save lives and prevent tragedies on New York’s roadways,” the NYSP said in a statement. “Increased traffic, celebrations, and winter driving conditions during the holiday season significantly raise the risk of serious crashes. Drivers are urged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, use seat belts and child restraints, obey speed limits, move over for emergency and roadside vehicles, and avoid distractions. A safe decision behind the wheel can prevent a life-altering crash and ensure everyone makes it home safely.”