ALBANY, NY (October 25, 2025) — New York State Police and local law enforcement are ramping up patrols starting Saturday to target impaired and reckless drivers through Halloween, an initiative announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul aimed at curbing deadly risks during the holiday.
The enforcement period, funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, runs from October 25 through October 31. Halloween ranks as the deadliest day for pedestrians under the age of 18, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reporting that 29 percent of fatal car crashes on the holiday in 2023 involved impaired drivers. Pedestrian deaths surge by 43 percent on Halloween compared to other nights, and the impaired driving crisis claimed more than 13,000 lives nationwide for the second year in a row, with drunk driving deaths up 22 percent since 2019. Someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 85 seconds.
“Halloween should be fun and safe for everyone, regardless of how you choose to celebrate,” Hochul said. “Unfortunately, poor choices behind the wheel can lead to deadly consequences. There is no excuse to drive impaired, drive distracted or speed. The New York State Police and our local law enforcement officers will be out and looking for anyone who makes the decision to jeopardize the safety of others this Halloween.”
Motorists can anticipate sobriety checkpoints and extra DWI patrols, with officers also cracking down on distracted and speeding drivers. Last year’s Halloween enforcement effort yielded 46,212 citations, 1,260 arrests for impaired driving and 9,029 tickets for speeding.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder emphasized planning ahead. “We want everyone to be safe and enjoy Halloween festivities. If your celebration includes consuming alcohol or drugs, plan to have a sober ride. Nothing will haunt you like a DWI. We all play a part in ensuring children and parents get home safely when they are out trick-or-treating. Look for pedestrians, lower your speed, put away the distractions and make sure everyone gets home safely.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added that safety starts with personal responsibility. “Keeping our roadways safe is a shared responsibility, and that begins with making smart choices before you get behind the wheel. Our Troopers will be out in full force this Halloween to protect the public from impaired, distracted, and reckless drivers. We want everyone to enjoy the holiday, but safety must come first. Plan ahead, drive sober, and help us make sure every child and family makes it home safely.”
For those attending Halloween parties, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation offer the “Have a Plan” mobile app for Apple and Android devices. The app helps users locate and call taxi services, program a designated driver list, access DWI laws and penalties, and report suspected impaired drivers.
Hochul urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant and avoid driving impaired to ensure a safe Halloween for all.
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.
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