Thanksgiving Weekend Crack Down On Reckless, DWI Drivers Planned

FARMINGDALE, NY — With more than 71 million ready to hit the road this Thanksgiving, according to AAA, New York State Police are prioritizing safety.

Authorities will crack down this weekend with fixed sobriety checkpoints across New York state. The special enforcement runs on Saturday and Sunday.

During last year's Thanksgiving period, troopers arrested 178 drivers for DWI, issued 4,349 speeding tickets and 362 tickets for distracted driving, state police said.

"A common threat on our roads that we continually fight is impaired and drunk driving. Traffic enforcement is imperative to everyone’s well-being and the goal of making this holiday a safe one," New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said.

Elevated traffic volumes typically occur during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend; it is also a time when alcohol consumption is widespread, police said. During the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday period, troopers arrested 178 drivers for DWI, issued 4,349 speeding tickets, and 362 tickets for distracted driving, authorities added.

Arrested drunk and drugged drivers face consequences that include the loss of their driver’s license, higher insurance rates, and fines and court costs, state police said. The average drinking and driving arrest costs up to $10,000, police said.

State police offered tips to reduce impaired driving:

• Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver.
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi or ride-sharing service, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation.
• If you know someone 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.