Law enforcement agencies throughout the state issued 20,714 tickets during the Labor Day weekend for various vehicle and traffic law violations, mostly for speeding and for drug- or alcohol-impaired driving during a statewide mobilization. From August 30 through September 2, state police increased patrols targeting reckless and impaired driving. This and similar enforcement periods are funded by grants through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).
“These enforcement periods are so important to remind New York drivers that there are consequences for their actions if they decide they are going to be reckless on our roadways,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I commend the men and women in law enforcement who are out there to keep us safe whether we are behind the wheel or the passenger seat, and I implore drivers to drive safely and remember that you are not the only one on the road.”
Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Our mission is to save lives and keep New Yorkers safe on the roadways. That work would not be possible without our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly to remove unsafe drivers from the roads and help us move closer to our shared goal of eliminating crashes and injuries.”
Of the tickets issued during the weekend, 4,374 were for speeding, and 966 were for impaired driving. Eight hundred twenty-four tickets were issues for not wearing a seat belt, 514 were for distracted driving and 192 for failing to obey the Move Over Law. The rest were for other violations.
A major component of New York’s efforts to combat impaired driving is the STOP-DWI program, which stands for “Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated.” The STOP-DWI program was created to empower counties to coordinate local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. All 62 counties have opted to participate. Some examples of programs funded by STOP-DWI are: specially trained police units dedicated to DWI enforcement, hiring of special prosecutors and probation officers to handle the caseload, monitoring ignition interlock devices, supporting rehabilitation services, and developing public information and education campaigns tailored to communities within their respective regions.
The GTSC also supports training for Drug Recognition Experts (DRE), who are specially trained officers utilized by law enforcement when a driver appears to be impaired, but police have ruled out alcohol as the cause or sole cause of impairment. A DRE receives extensive training that has been approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The training allows officers to observe and document signs and indicators of impairment within each of seven drug categories including illicit and prescription drugs.
“I applaud the tremendous work put forth by our members and law enforcement partners that have attributed to the success of this enforcement,” New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said. “Whether it is distracted driving or impaired driving, it is dangerous driving that needlessly claims lives. … Through persistent education and enforcement, the State Police continues the mission to make New York’s roads safer, by discouraging, detecting, and arresting negligent drivers.”
NYS Sheriffs’ Association President and Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond added, “Law enforcement asks everyone to drive safely and to not drive impaired. Most drivers heed our advice, but some don’t. Many dangerous, distracted, reckless drivers were stopped, ticketed, and taken off the road by law enforcement this Labor Day weekend. The Sheriffs of New York State ask you to be responsible and safe drivers during the holidays, and every day.”