“In an effort to prevent tragedies caused by impaired, distracted, aggressive or reckless driving,” state police will be highly visible, and several sobriety checkpoints are scheduled for Hudson Valley roadways.
The holiday enforcement period began on Wednesday, Nov. 22 and will last through Sunday, Nov. 26.
During the enforcement period, state police will supplement regular patrols with a focus on motorists speeding, who are impaired or are utilizing cell phones. According to police, the highest traffic volumes of the year typically occur during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday, police arrested 245 drivers for drivers while intoxicated, issued 5,417 speeding tickets, 673 tickets for distracted driving and 265 tickets for failing to change lanes when passing an emergency vehicle. In total, 13,751 tickets were issued.
“As motorists drive throughout the state to see their family and friends this holiday season, we encourage them to make safe driving practices their priority,” State Police Superintendent George Beach II stated. “Follow posted speed limits, make sure all occupants are buckled up, put down your smart phones and other mobile devices and move over and slow down when you see emergency and highway maintenance vehicles on the side of the road.
“If you’re celebrating with alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. Make arrangements for a safe ride home. Our troopers are committed to ensuring everyone’s safety and by motorists making the right choices, together we can prevent needless tragedies on our roadways.”
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