Police Target Dangerous Holiday Driving

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, but for law enforcement agencies across New York and the country, it also begins one of the busiest and most dangerous travel periods of the year.

The New York State Police, along with local and county law enforcement agencies, are increasing patrols through Monday, May 25, as part of a statewide effort to crack down on drunk, impaired, distracted and reckless driving. The special enforcement period began Friday, May 22, and is being supported through grants from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.

Extra Patrols Across New York

Drivers traveling throughout New York this holiday weekend can expect to see more sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and law enforcement vehicles on the roads. State Police said Troopers will be using both marked patrol vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles, known as CITE vehicles.

The CITE vehicles are designed to blend in with regular traffic, allowing Troopers to better observe dangerous driving behaviors before initiating a stop. Once emergency lights are activated, however, the vehicles are clearly identifiable as police vehicles.

The goal is straightforward: remove impaired and reckless drivers from the road before they cause crashes.

A Busy Weekend With Serious Risks

Memorial Day is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year, as families, friends and vacationers hit the road for ceremonies, cookouts, beach trips, parades and long-weekend getaways. With more vehicles on highways and local roads, law enforcement agencies say the risks rise quickly when alcohol, speeding, distraction or aggressive driving are involved.

Last Memorial Day weekend, New York State Troopers arrested 245 people for impaired driving, issued 12,062 tickets and investigated 774 crashes. Three of those crashes were fatal.

Those numbers are part of why police are once again taking a high-visibility approach this year. The message is not just about writing tickets. It is about preventing injuries, saving lives and making sure people get home safely.

National Focus on Seat Belts and Impaired Driving

New York is not alone. Across the country, law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts around Memorial Day travel, with two major themes leading the way: impaired driving enforcement and seat belt compliance.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign is underway nationwide, reminding drivers and passengers that seat belts remain one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a crash. Agencies are emphasizing that both front-seat and back-seat passengers can be cited for seat belt violations.

In South Carolina, law enforcement launched its “Buckle Up, South Carolina” campaign as part of the broader “100 Deadly Days of Summer,” the high-risk period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. In Illinois, police departments in Naperville, Lake County and Lake in the Hills announced additional enforcement details, with particular attention on nighttime seat belt use, when compliance often drops.

In Pennsylvania, Dallas Township Police announced dedicated DUI roving patrols, while in New York, Dutchess County law enforcement agencies joined the statewide STOP-DWI campaign with additional checkpoints and patrols.

Planning Ahead Can Prevent Tragedy

Officials are reminding motorists that there are many options available before someone gets behind the wheel impaired. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation continue to promote the “Have a Plan” mobile app, which allows users to find and call a taxi, build a designated driver list, review DWI laws and penalties, and even report a suspected impaired driver.

Law enforcement agencies are also reminding drivers to obey Move Over laws by slowing down and changing lanes when approaching emergency vehicles, tow trucks or highway workers stopped along the roadside.

The Road Home Matters

Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country. For many Americans, it is also a weekend spent traveling to be with family and friends.

Police say the best way to protect that time is simple: buckle up, drive sober, put the phone away, slow down and plan ahead.

Because the most important part of any Memorial Day trip is making it home safely.