ALBANY, NY (May 24, 2025) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide campaign to combat drunk, impaired, and reckless driving during the Memorial Day weekend, with increased patrols by New York State Police and local law enforcement. The STOP-DWI enforcement, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, runs from 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 23, through 11:00 p.m. Monday, May 26, 2025.
“Public safety is my top priority,” Hochul said. “Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start to summer and a busy travel season. I urge all motorists to drive responsibly and make a plan to get home safely.”
The initiative includes sobriety checkpoints and heightened patrols, utilizing both marked and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles to identify violators. Last year’s campaign resulted in 30,031 citations, including 4,791 for speeding and 1,421 arrests for impaired driving.
To ease holiday travel, construction-related lane closures on New York State highways will be suspended from 6:00 a.m. Friday, May 23, to 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 27, though some work may continue behind permanent barriers or for emergency repairs. This aligns with the state’s Drivers First Initiative to minimize congestion.
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James emphasized safe driving practices. “Drive sober, put down your smart phone, and slow down and move over if you see emergency vehicles or highway workers,” he said.
Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder urged responsible choices. “With so many options for a safe and sober ride home, there’s absolutely no excuse to drive impaired,” he said.
Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez highlighted the suspension of non-emergency construction to ensure smoother traffic flow. “Drive sober and alert, slow down and move over for all vehicles, obey speed limits,” she said.
Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare noted that construction suspensions will reduce delays, but drivers must remain vigilant. “Slow down and move over for vehicles on the side of the road,” he said, referencing the state’s expanded Move Over Law, effective March 2024.
Resources like the Thruway Authority’s mobile app and NYSDOT’s 511NY service provide real-time traffic updates. The “Have a Plan” app, supported by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and STOP-DWI Foundation, helps users arrange safe transportation.
Sheriffs’ Association President James Quattrone and Association of Chiefs of Police President Shawn Heubusch praised the campaign’s focus on safety. State Senator Jeremy Cooney thanked Hochul and law enforcement for their efforts to ensure safe holiday travel.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.