NEW YORK (PIX11) – As we head into the height of the holiday season, New York State police will crack down on impaired and reckless drivers starting this weekend.
State police will implement fixed sobriety checkpoints and use concealed patrol vehicles to spot distracted drivers, officials warned on Friday. The special enforcement period starts on Saturday and runs through Sunday, Dec. 1.
“Thanksgiving kicks off the busiest travel season of the year, and we want everyone to reach their friends and loved ones safely,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
The Port Authority estimates that 5.5 million drivers will take to the road over the holiday weekend. State officials say this is also the time of year associated with increased alcohol use.
Last year’s sobriety checkpoints led to 1,342 DWI arrests, 7,656 speeding tickets, and 970 tickets for distracted driving.
Drivers arrested for DWI could face fines up to $10,000. Drunk and drugged drivers could also face higher insurance rates and risk losing their license.
Dominique Jack is a digital content producer from Brooklyn with more than five years of experience covering news. She joined PIX11 in 2024. More of her work can be found here.
