The New York State Police will crack down on impaired and reckless driving during Super Bowl weekend. The special STOP-DWI enforcement campaign, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, will include increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints to deter, identify, and arrest impaired drivers, as well as enforcement targeting underage drinking. The enforcement initiative runs through Sunday, February 8.
While STOP-DWI efforts across New York have led to significant reductions in the number of drinking and driving fatalities, too many lives are still being lost because of crashes caused by impaired drivers. During the 2025 Super Bowl campaign, State Police arrested 161 people for impaired driving and issued 8,663 total tickets.
“If you’re like me and your team didn’t make it to the big game, you know there’s always next year,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “However, if you drive impaired or make poor or reckless choices that put you and others on the roads in danger, next year may not come. We want all New Yorkers celebrating Super Bowl LX to plan ahead, have a designated driver or be the designated driver. Law enforcement officers will be out across the state making sure football fans are celebrating responsibly so we all can see the day the Buffalo Bills bring home the Lombardi.”
“Unlike the Super Bowl, there are no winners when someone makes the choice to drink and drive,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said. “The injuries and deaths caused by impaired drivers are completely preventable by driving sober or opting for a safe ride home. State Police and our law enforcement partners continue to work diligently to keep drunk drivers off the roads, so we can save lives and prevent serious injuries.”
During this enforcement period, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with everyday 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 on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.
New York State DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Whether you’re cheering for the Seahawks, the Patriots, Bad Bunny or the commercials, the best way to celebrate the Super Bowl is responsibly. We all play a part in making sure everyone stays safe on the roadway. Have a game plan and designate a sober driver, use rideshare or taxi services, and always exercise caution when you’re behind the wheel. Everybody wins when we work together to keep our roads safe.”
An impaired driving conviction carries a maximum fine of $10,000, up to seven years in prison and license revocation. If you are hosting, you’re the team captain! Designate a responsible driver now to help your guests get home safely:
- Ask all of your guests to designate their sober drivers in advance or help them arrange ridesharing with sober drivers. If you don’t drink, offer to drive guests home.
- Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter—this is a good time to serve coffee and dessert.
- Sign up online for a ridesharing service or keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from any guests who are thinking of driving after drinking.
- If you’re driving and you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement.
- Always drive 100 percent sober. Even one alcoholic beverage could be one too many.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation “Have a Plan” mobile app, is available for Apple, Anroid and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and a way to even report a suspected impaired driver.
The NYSP reminds party hosts that, if they serve a guest alcohol and he or she gets in a crash that night, the host could be held liable. If an underage person drinks and drives, the parent or guardian can be legally liable for any damage, injury or death caused by the underage driver.
New York State Sheriffs’ Association President and Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa said, “There will be some big plays in the Super Bowl and you have a chance to make a big play also by driving sober and safely. You can’t call a time-out if you have a crash or are stopped by law enforcement for driving impaired or recklessly. The Sheriffs of New York State want you to be the MVP for your family and friends Super Bowl weekend by getting home safely and not driving impaired.”
“One of the biggest events of the year, the NFL Super Bowl, is almost upon us,” New York State Association of Chiefs of Police President and Mount Pleasant Police Department Chief Paul Oliva said. ”Prior to enjoying the game with friends and family, plan ahead to ensure your travels to and from gatherings leave all the collisions observed that night on the playing field. Don’t turn the Big Game into a roadway tragedy by driving drunk or high. Good decisions result in good outcomes and safe highways.”