The New York State Police will conduct special traffic enforcement efforts for the upcoming Columbus Day Weekend to crackdown on speeding and impaired motorists. The enforcement period runs through Monday, October 14, 2024. Traffic volumes increase significantly on Columbus Day weekend due to fall tourism.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “During this campaign, State Police and our law enforcement partners will be highly visible and looking for motorists driving in an unsafe manner. By making safe choices, the injuries and deaths caused by speeding and drunk driving are completely preventable. As always, we will have zero tolerance for those who endanger others by driving recklessly.”
Motorists who are traveling this weekend can expect to encounter sobriety checkpoints and additional DWI patrols. Troopers 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.
Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.
The State Police are reminding all motorists to be safe, don’t drink and drive, stay off your mobile phones while driving, drive the speed limit, and buckle up all occupants. The main goal of this initiative is to deter unsafe driving behaviors and raise awareness of the importance of traffic safety.
This initiative is partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. The GTSC and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their “Have a Plan” mobile app, is available for Apple, Droid and Windows smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and a way to even report a suspected impaired driver.
