Don't Text, Speed or Drink and Drive: NY State Police

The New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will crack down on impaired, distracted and speeding drivers during this Thanksgiving holiday. The special traffic enforcement period will run from Wednesday, Nov, 25 through Sunday, Nov, 29, 2015.

The State Police are adding patrols statewide to crackdown on drivers who speed, are impaired, are underage drinking, or distracted while driving. There will be fixed sobriety checkpoints, an underage drinker initiative and the “Operation Hang Up” initiative, which targets drivers talking on cell phones or texting. State Police will use unmarked vehicles.

The NY State Police urges drivers to remember these helpful safety tips:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• Use your community’s sober ride program;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
• If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.