what to know
- NYPD will also combat the illegal sale of alcohol to minors through statewide law enforcement details of underage drinkers during the five-day period.
- This special application period starts on Friday, October 28, 2022 and runs until Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
- Between 2016 and 2020, there were 129 deaths from drunk driving on Halloween night nationwide.
NEW YORK – Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that New York State police and local law enforcement will step up patrols to identify reckless and disabled drivers over Halloween weekend.
NYPD will also combat the illegal sale of alcohol to minors through statewide law enforcement details of underage drinkers during the five-day period.
This special application period starts on Friday, October 28, 2022 and runs until Tuesday, November 1, 2022.
“My goal this Halloween weekend is to keep New Yorkers safe with zero tolerance for drunk driving,” Governor Hochul said. “If your Halloween celebrations include alcohol, plan a safe trip home with a sober driver. Those who take risks and drive drunk will end up facing the consequences of breaking the law.”
Drivers hitting the road this weekend can expect to find sobriety checkpoints and additional statewide DWI patrols.
Authorities will also be looking for motorists who use their phones and other devices while behind the wheel.
As a reminder, drivers should remember to “pull over” for emergency and emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the road.
“Halloween is a night of fun for people of all ages, yet fun can quickly turn into tragedy if done irresponsibly,” said Acting Superintendent of New York State Police Steven A. Nigrelli. “If you’re not old enough to drink, don’t. If your Halloween plans include alcohol, don’t get behind the wheel and plan a safe trip home. Motorists should be very careful when trick-or-treating and pedestrians approaching. slowing down and moving. No problem, following these simple steps could save your life or someone else’s. “
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to the high number of drunk drivers on the roads. Between 2016 and 2020, there were 129 deaths from drunk driving on Halloween night nationwide.
In the 2021 law enforcement initiative, New York State police officers investigated 566 incidents, with 71 incidents resulting in injuries and two deaths. Troops also arrested 133 people for DWI and issued a total of 7,824 tickets for speeding, distracted driving and other traffic violations, according to the governor’s office.
The New York State Police, il Governor’s Committee on Road Safety and the NHTSA recommend these simple tips for avoiding drunk driving:
- Plan a safe way home before the fun begins
- Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
- If you are disabled, use a taxi or ride sharing service, call a sober friend or family member or use public transport;
- Use your community’s sober travel schedule;
- If you suspect that a driver is drunk or drunk on the road, do not hesitate to contact the local police;
- If you know someone who is about to drive or cycle while they are disabled, get their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
