New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced an increase in state and local law enforcement patrols targeting impaired and reckless driving during the Thanksgiving travel period from November 22 to 30. Funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the initiative also focuses on enforcing the Move Over Law and other unsafe driving behaviors. This effort responds to the heightened risks during the holiday season, which sees increased travel and alcohol consumption, as evidenced by thousands of impaired driving arrests and traffic violations during last year’s Thanksgiving period.

Law enforcement will use fixed sobriety checkpoints and unmarked Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles to detect distracted and impaired drivers. To facilitate safer and smoother travel, lane closures for construction on state highways will be suspended from November 26 to December 1. Additionally, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee promotes the “Have a Plan” mobile app, which helps motorists arrange safe rides and report impaired drivers, aiming to reduce holiday traffic tragedies and keep New Yorkers safe on the roads.