ALBANY – New York State Police announced Monday they are cracking down on drunk and drugged driving this week during the Independence Day Holiday.
Troopers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target reckless and aggressive driving statewide in an effort to keep New York highways safe.
The special enforcement detail will through Thursday, July 5.
Last year, State Police issued nearly 10,500 vehicle and traffic tickets during the Fourth of July holiday.
Troopers reported 240 people were arrested for DWI and State Police investigated 152 crashes, which resulted in three fatalities and 248 injuries.
During the enforcement, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols.
Troopers will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel.
Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel on New York roadways.
Data shows that the Fourth of July holiday period is especially deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the July 4th period in 2015, 146 people died nationwide in alcohol-related crashes. Two-thirds of those crashes involved at least one driver with a blood alcohol concentration of .15 percent or higher, which is almost twice the legal limit.
