New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a rigorous enforcement crackdown is scheduled to commence at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 24. This initiative will persist until 11 p.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.
During the holiday weekend, New York State Police and local and county law enforcement agencies will ramp up patrols to tackle the issue of alcohol and drug-impaired driving.
According to Hochul, Memorial Day weekend is the kickoff of the summer driving season, and it is crucial to prioritize everyone’s safety on the road. She emphasizes the importance of responsible driving and strongly advises against getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Hochul firmly states that impaired driving is not acceptable in New York State.
As part of the crackdown, law enforcement will implement sobriety checkpoints and increase patrols, utilizing both marked and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles.
Over Memorial Day weekend in 2023, law enforcement officials were hard at work to ensure public safety. Their efforts were not in vain, as they successfully arrested 194 individuals for impaired driving and issued a total of 13,471 tickets. Additionally, they diligently investigated 839 crashes during this period.
To make travel easier, road and bridge construction projects on New York highways will be suspending temporary lane closures between 6 p.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28. This is in addition to the increased police activity aimed at ensuring smoother traffic flow.
Officials have stated that while most closures will be paused, there may still be ongoing work behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. This means that motorists will still need to remain cautious and aware of any potential roadwork happening in these areas.
