NY To Crackdown On DWI Over July 4th Holiday

A statewide DWI crackdown is underway in New York and will continue beyond the July 4th holiday. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols to crack down on drunk and drugged driving and other traffic infraction through Friday, July 5.

State troopers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target reckless and aggressive driving around the state in an effort to keep New York highways safe during one of the busiest summer holidays for travel.

"As we approach one of the busiest weekends for summer travel, state police and local law enforcement will be cracking down on impaired driving of any kind to ensure our roads are safe throughout the holiday," Cuomo said.

"I urge all motorists traveling in the upcoming days to drive carefully, wear a seatbelt and never drink and drive," he said.

Last year, state police issued nearly 10,500 vehicle and traffic tickets during the July 4th weekend. Troopers arrested 216 people for DWI and investigate 165 crashes, which resulted in four fatalities and 244 injuries.

During this enforcement period, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to "move over" for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.

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 every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

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