Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced that a total of 129,686 tickets were issued statewide as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” traffic enforcement period between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The initiative, which targeted impaired and reckless drivers, ran from Dec. 11, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025. Statewide, impaired diving resulted in 4,264 tickets.

“Driving infractions unnecessarily put millions of lives at risk, and they are 100% preventable,” Governor Hochul said. “These traffic enforcement periods are crucial in mitigating risks and helping reduce crashes and saving lives.”

During the enforcement period, 23,339 tickets were issued for speeding. In addition, distracted driving resulted in 4,264 tickets, failure to obey the “move over” law 981 tickets, and failure to wear seatbelts resulted in 3,230 tickets.

The traffic enforcement campaigns are funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), which promotes and supports participation of law enforcement agencies at the state, county and local levels in high-visibility enforcement efforts. Grant funding is intended to provide supplemental traffic enforcement and engagement during times of the year, such as the holidays, when there is greater potential for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs to be on the road.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “The high number of tickets issued during this enforcement period underscores the importance of these mobilizations in keeping New Yorkers and our visitors safe on the roads. The message is clear: just drive. And the rules are simple: slow down, wear your seat belt, move over for stopped vehicles, put down your device and never drive if you’re impaired.”

Is that so hard to do?

Craig DuMond, Delaware County Sheriff and President of the NYS Sheriffs’ Association, said, “Most people were courteous and safe, so they did not put themselves and others in danger while behind the wheel. Some drivers were not smart, and they drove while impaired or they drove aggressively and put other road users at risk. Law enforcement ticketed and arrested many of these dangerous drivers.”