Governor Hochul Announces State Police Arrest 189 People for Impaired Driving Over Halloween Weekend

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that the State Police issued 11,601 tickets and arrested 189 people for impaired driving during the special traffic enforcement detail over Halloween weekend. The initiative, which targeted speeding and impaired drivers, began on Friday, October 28, and continued through Tuesday, November 1. The enforcement campaign was funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

"I applaud the State Police and our law enforcement partners for their commitment to keeping dangerous and impaired drivers off the roads this Halloween," Governor Hochul said. "Through enforcement campaigns like this, my administration will continue to crack down on impaired and reckless driving to prevent needless tragedies and make New York roads safer for all."

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven A. Nigrelli said, "I applaud the tremendous work put forth by our members and law enforcements partners that have attributed to the success of this enforcement. We know all too well the preventable tragedies caused by impaired, reckless and distracted driving. We want to remind drivers to make responsible choices every time they get behind the wheel. Our Troopers will remain committed and vigilant in keeping impaired and reckless drivers off the roadways every day."

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Mark J. F. Schroeder said, "It is important to keep driving home the message that impaired driving is completely preventable and a mistake that can come with a whole host of consequences. That is why GTSC is pleased to be able to continue to support State Police and other county and local law enforcement during these special enforcement periods, and to make sure that people go from the roads to home safe and alive."

During the campaign, State Police utilized sobriety checkpoints, added more DWI patrols and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices. Troopers also used both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who were violating the law. These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic, but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

State Troopers arrested 189 people for impaired driving - up 42 percent from the previous year - and investigated 1,006 automobile crashes, including three fatal crashes and 109 personal injury crashes. During the 2021 Halloween weekend enforcement period, which ran one day less than this year's campaign, the State Police issued 7,824 total tickets and arrested 133 people for DWI.

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

Below are the results of the campaign, broken down by Troop: