Police across New York will step up patrols and sobriety enforcement as part of a statewide crackdown on impaired driving ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the annual enforcement campaign will run from March 9 through March 17.
During the campaign, New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will increase patrols to target drivers who are drunk, drug-impaired, speeding or driving distracted.
Officers will also set up sobriety checkpoints and conduct roving patrols throughout the enforcement period.
Authorities said police will also conduct checks at retail locations to prevent underage drinking and illegal alcohol sales.
Last year’s St. Patrick’s Day enforcement effort resulted in 1,224 arrests for driving while intoxicated. Officers also issued 10,314 speeding tickets and more than 55,000 tickets overall.
State officials say impaired driving remains a major safety issue nationwide. Federal data shows nearly 12,000 people die each year in alcohol-related crashes in the United States.
Officials are encouraging drivers celebrating the holiday to make transportation plans in advance, such as using rideshare services, taxis, public transit or designated drivers.
Law enforcement agencies say the goal of the campaign is to prevent crashes and keep impaired drivers off the road during one of the busiest celebration weekends of the year.
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