Utilizing sobriety checkpoints and extra patrols, New York State Police said they arrested 251 drivers for driving under the influence over their 2024 “Thanksgiving enforcement period”. The number was up from last year, when 178 got DWI charges during the same period.
In total, police said 24,191 tickets were issued during the holiday surge, up from 18,690 in 2023. These tickets included 4,338 for speeding, 371 for distracted driving, 2,520 for seatbelt violations, and 242 for failing to obey the Move Over Law.
Troop F, which covers Ulster County save for the Thruway, made 46 DWI arrests, and issued tickets to 506 drivers for speeding. Distracted driving tickets were issued to 52 people. Also ticketed were 201 alleged seat belt violaters and 25 alleged Move Over Law violators.
The special enforcement period was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, which coordinates with law enforcement, government and community entities to implement strategies geared toward making the roads safer.