State Police and local law enforcement agencies will participate in the national enforcement initiative on impaired driving this holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, an initiative funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, runs today through Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
“New York has zero tolerance for impaired and reckless driving,” Governor Hochul said. “Let me be clear, if you place yourself or other drivers in danger this holiday season, you will be ticketed or face criminal charges. Don’t be the person to ruin the holidays by putting yourself and others at risk.”
In addition to the DWI checkpoints and patrols, law enforcement officers will be watching for speeding drivers, distracted drivers and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” which requires motorists to exercise extreme caution when passing any vehicle that is stopped in or on the side of the road.
To help ease travel during the busy holiday weekends, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended beginning Saturday, December 21 at 6 a.m. through Thursday, December 26 at 6 a.m. Construction will also be suspended from Tuesday, December 31 at 6 a.m. through Thursday, January 2 at 6 a.m. to ease travel for motorists.
Motorists should be aware some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. The construction suspension aligns with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of motorists to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work.
Motorists must follow the state’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March to require drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway. In 2024, two Thruway Authority employees died and another was seriously injured in separate incidents while working on the Thruway. The Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation urge motorists to stay alert while driving, slow down and move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The lives of employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel are in their hands.
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