Press Release - 06-04-2021

New York State News

Friday, June 4, 2021

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CRACKDOWN

More Than 9,200 Tickets Issued During Memorial Day Weekend Enforcement Period

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Police issued a total of 9,214 tickets statewide during the Memorial Day Weekend enforcement campaign to combat drunk and impaired driving. The enforcement period began on Friday, May 28 and continued through Tuesday, June 1.

"Driving while impaired is reckless and irresponsible behavior and it will not be tolerated in this state -- period," Governor Cuomo said. "New Yorkers need to make responsible choices and drive sober or get a ride when you're unable to safely get behind the wheel. Failing to do so will result in real consequences or needless and avoidable tragedies."

During the campaign, which was partially funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices. Troopers arrested 185 people for DWI and investigated 851 crashes, including 163 personal injury crashes and two fatalities.

Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, Mark J.F. Schroeder, said, "I applaud the New York State Police and all law enforcement across the state for their vigilance and commitment to getting impaired drivers off our roads. The reckless decision to drive impaired is not only costly, but often leads to deadly consequences. Avoid tragedies by having a plan to get home safely."

State Police Acting Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said, "While we have made strides to reduce impaired driving, these results are proof that far too many people are still making the wrong decision and getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using drugs. We have no tolerance for this behavior, and our Troopers will remain vigilant to remove these reckless individuals from our roadways."

As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Below is a sampling of the total tickets that were issued.

 

Tickets issued Memorial Day weekend by troop
ViolationTickets
Speeding3,991
Distracted Driving415
Seatbelt Violations3,100
Move Over Law177


During last year's Memorial Day Weekend enforcement campaign, which ran from Friday, May 22, 2020, through Tuesday, May 26, the State Police issued 8,907 total tickets and arrested 203 people for DWI.

 

Below is a breakdown of violations by troop:

Tickets issued Memorial Day weekend by troop
TroopRegionSpeedDWI ArrestsDistracted DrivingChild Restraint/Seat BeltMove OverTotal Tickets (includes other violations)
AWestern NY404213861261,823
BNorth Country2691113128141,061
CSouthern Tier3611026273211,046
DCentral NY314176347361,615
EFinger Lakes3281129336131,464
FUpper Hudson Valley3874463439111,737
GCapital Region312123928081,149
KLower Hudson Valley7592260170491,597
LLong Island141915326532
NYCNew York City371211071454
TNYS Thruway6792748250421,771