This article has been updated to include an announcement that the New York State Police will also be patrolling the roads.
By Hank Russell
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police (NYSP) announced that there will be enhanced DWI patrols on the roads during the holiday season.
Deputy Sheriffs will be increasing their DWI patrols for the Christmas holiday through New Year’s Eve to ensure roadways remain safe as residents ring in the New Year. Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. said its DWI Enforcement Team has made a record number of DWI arrests this year with 311 arrests to date. Included in the arrests so far are 48 aggravated DWI charges (the defendant had a blood alcohol content of .18 or higher), 16 arrests involving drivers with prior DWI convictions, 21 arrests involving impairment by drugs and two Leandra’s Law arrests.
“Our Deputy Sheriffs continue to do an incredible job patrolling for impaired drivers,” Toulon said. “They are closing the year strong with enhanced DWI enforcement during this critical time so we can all safely celebrate the holidays with friends and family.”
Leandra’s Law (the Child Passenger Protection Act) is a state law making it an automatic felony on the first offense to drive drunk with a person 15 or younger inside the vehicle. The law was named after 11-year-old Leandra Rosado, who was killed on the Henry Hudson Parkway on October 11, 2009, when she was a passenger in a car driven by an intoxicated driver.
Last weekend alone, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office arrested eleven drivers for impaired driving and will continue being on patrol during the holiday season – including checkpoints with partner agencies.
Meanwhile, Governor Kathy Hochul reminded New Yorkers that state police and local law enforcement agencies are participating in an ongoing nationwide enforcement strategy to remove impaired drivers from the roads this holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign — an initiative funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) — will run through January 1, 2026.
“Anyone making the decision to place themselves or other drivers in danger this holiday season will be ticketed or face criminal charges,” Hochul said. “Our state has zero tolerance for impaired and reckless driving because the safety of New Yorkers is always my top priority.”
In addition to the driving while intoxicated (DWI) checkpoints and patrols, law enforcement officers will be watching for speeding drivers, distracted drivers and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” which requires drivers to exercise extreme caution when passing any vehicle that is stopped in or on the side of the road.
“The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate, but you must celebrate responsibly,” DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said. “If you drive impaired and break the law, you will face consequences and be held accountable. Take the time to plan for a sober ride home, avoid distractions behind the wheel and slow down, especially in heavy traffic or poor weather conditions.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “As motorists drive throughout the state to see family and friends this holiday season, we encourage them to make safe driving practices a priority. There’s no excuse for driving impaired, and when someone makes the choice to drive after using alcohol or drugs, they are endangering the lives of everyone. The State Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to discourage and detect impaired motorists. I thank the GTSC for their partnership in educating and bringing awareness to all who get into a vehicle in New York State.”