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State Police to Crack Down on Impaired Driving this
Fourth of July Holiday
Published: July 03, 2026 at
12:00 a.m.
By: Press Release
from New York State Police
New York State Police to
Crack Down on Impaired Driving this Fourth of July
Holiday
The New York
State Police will increase patrols to crack down on drunk and drugged
driving and other traffic infractions over the Fourth of July holiday. This
special enforcement period will begin on Friday, July 3, 2026, and run through Sunday, July 5, 2026.
During this
enforcement period, drivers can expect to encounter sobriety checkpoints
and 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 when they travel New York roadways.
Troopers will be
using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic
Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles
allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are using handheld
devices while driving. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but
are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is
activated.
During last
year’s Fourth of July enforcement period, Troopers issued 10,497 total
tickets, arrested 210 people for DWI, 258 tickets for distracted driving,
301 tickets for Move Over law violations.
The Fourth of
July initiative is partially funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC).
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 or rideshare service and
program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws
and penalties, and provides a way to report a
suspected impaired driver.
If you drive
drunk or drugged, you not only put your life and the lives of others at
risk, you could face arrest, jail time, and
substantial fines and attorney fees. The average drinking and driving
arrest costs up to $10,000.
Arrested drunk
and drugged drivers face the loss of their driver’s license, higher
insurance rates, and dozens of unanticipated expenses from attorney fees,
fines and court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost time at work.
The New York
State Police, and GTSC recommend these simple tips to prevent impaired
driving:
- Plan a safe way home before the
fun begins;
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober
friend or family member, or use public transportation;
- Use your community’s sober ride program;
- If you suspect a driver is drunk or impaired
on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
- If you know someone who 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.
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