NEW YORK STATE — On August 15, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that State Police and local law enforcement will be cracking down on impaired and reckless driving by increasing patrols and checkpoints during the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign from Friday, August 15, through Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

“As family and friends celebrate the summer festivities, we’re stepping up our efforts to keep New Yorkers safe on the road,” Governor Hochul said. “Public safety is my number one priority — and whether you’re heading to a cookout, the beach or the fair, we’re focused on getting you there safely.”

State Police and local law enforcement agencies will conduct sobriety checkpoints and increase patrols during the enforcement period. Troopers will use both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles to help identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations.  While these vehicles blend in with everyday traffic, they are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

During the 2024 campaign, law enforcement officers statewide issued 20,714 tickets for various vehicle and traffic law violations, including 4,374 tickets for speeding and 966 tickets for drug or alcohol impaired driving.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee urges drivers to use the STOP-DWI Have a Plan app to help them get home safely. The free app allows users to designate a driver, call a cab or ride share and to review the consequences of impaired driving. Users can even use the app to report a drunk or drugged driver. The app is available for Apple, Android and Windows smart phones.

Motorists are also reminded to follow the State’s Move Over Law, which requires all drivers to slow down and move over when safe to do so for all vehicles stopped along the roadway.