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The New York State Police have announced the results of their recent Thanksgiving holiday crackdown on dangerous driving. From Wednesday (November 26) to Sunday (November 30), officers issued 13,036 tickets statewide. This effort was part of a broader initiative funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee to enhance road safety during the busy holiday period.
During the crackdown, police arrested 247 individuals for driving while intoxicated (DWI) and investigated 1,277 crashes, two of which were fatal. The campaign involved sobriety checkpoints, increased DWI patrols, and a focus on speeding and distracted driving. Officers used Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) patrol vehicles to identify drivers using handheld devices.
In the Hudson Valley region alone, 84 drivers were arrested for DWI. Last year, the enforcement period resulted in over 12,000 tickets and 259 DWI arrests, highlighting a slight increase in ticket issuance this year.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James emphasized the importance of driver safety, stating, "Every year there are preventable tragedies because of the decisions made by reckless and impaired drivers." The enforcement initiative is part of ongoing efforts to reduce impaired driving and its associated risks.
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation encourage drivers to use the "Have a Plan" mobile app, which helps locate taxis or rideshares and provides information on DWI laws and penalties.