The New York State Department of Transportation, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies began work on June 29 to make state roadways safer through the Independence Day holiday weekend.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the statewide effort would not only crack down on reckless and impaired driving, but would open up temporary lane closures to relieve congestion.
The effort to curb reckless and impaired driving is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, and began on Monday, June 29, running through Sunday, July 5. Law enforcement officers across the state will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target dangerous and aggressive driving. Last year’s similar effort resulted in nearly 50,000 tickets being issued; more than 1,500 of them were for impaired driving. More than 600 tickets were issued for Move Over Law violations (the law requires drivers to slow down or move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway to protect the lives of other drivers, passengers, roadway workers and emergency personnel), and more than 1,900 tickets were issued for distracted driving. The holiday weekend is considered the busiest travel weekend of the summer.
“Have fun celebrating this historic holiday and the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, but do it responsibly,” Hochul said. “New York is doing everything we can to make travel this weekend as smooth and safe as possible, but safety on the roads is a team effort. We have zero tolerance for reckless drivers who endanger others, so please have a plan if you will be drinking and do not drive impaired.”
To help ease travel, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended from 6 a.m. on July 2 through 6 a.m. Monday, July 6. Officials said some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.
“On this 4th of July, we mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt said. “We want everyone to celebrate this historic milestone safely and responsibly. Please do not drive recklessly and never, ever drive impaired. There are safe alternatives, so please make a plan to protect yourself and others on the road.”