State and local police are increasing patrols for the days leading up to St. Patrick’s Day as part of New York’s latest impaired driving crackdown.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Sunday that the annual traffic safety enforcement period will begin on Monday, March 9, and run through Tuesday, March 17.
“As Governor, there is no greater commitment than my promise to make our state safer for all, and I am grateful to our law enforcement partners for their commitment to keep New Yorkers safe,” Hochul said in a statement. “Impaired driving is completely preventable, especially in the age of ride share services, taxis and technology such as the ‘Have a Plan’ app. We have zero tolerance for drunk, drugged or reckless driving — all of which make our streets less safe — and we will be relentless in the pursuit of removing irresponsible and dangerous drivers from our roadways.”
Officials say that in addition to DWI checkpoints, roving police patrols will increase during the enforcement period to watch for speeding and distracted drivers and those violating the state’s “Move Over Law.” The law, expanded in 2023, requires drivers to slow down and safely move over when approaching a vehicle stopped on the side of any road.
The state says last year’s St. Patrick’s Day impaired driving enforcement operation led to the arrest of 1,224 people for DWI, while 10,314 tickets for speeding and 55,661 tickets in total were issued.
New York state’s “Have a Plan” mobile app has information on taxi services, DWI laws and penalties and a way to report a suspected impaired driver.