State and local law enforcement agencies in New York will increase patrols during the Halloween period to address impaired and reckless driving, according to an announcement from Governor Kathy Hochul. The enforcement effort is scheduled from Saturday, October 25 through Friday, October 31 and is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee.
“Halloween should be fun and safe for everyone, regardless of how you choose to celebrate,” Governor Hochul said. “Unfortunately, poor choices behind the wheel can lead to deadly consequences. There is no excuse to drive impaired, drive distracted or speed. The New York State Police and our local law enforcement officers will be out and looking for anyone who makes the decision to jeopardize the safety of others this Halloween.”
Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, stated: “We want everyone to be safe and enjoy Halloween festivities. If your celebration includes consuming alcohol or drugs, plan to have a sober ride. Nothing will haunt you like a DWI. We all play a part in ensuring children and parents get home safely when they are out trick-or-treating. Look for pedestrians, lower your speed, put away the distractions and make sure everyone gets home safely.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added: “Keeping our roadways safe is a shared responsibility, and that begins with making smart choices before you get behind the wheel. Our Troopers will be out in full force this Halloween to protect the public from impaired, distracted, and reckless drivers. We want everyone to enjoy the holiday, but safety must come first. Plan ahead, drive sober, and help us make sure every child and family makes it home safely.”
James Quattrone, President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association and Chautauqua County Sheriff said,“Law enforcement will be out to make sure everyone is safe this spooky time of year. As families are enjoying Halloween, and sometimes the days before and after, drivers need to be on the lookout for pedestrians. It is hard to see little ghouls and goblins if you are speeding or driving impaired. The Sheriffs of New York State want you to enjoy your tricks and treats safely, so obey the speed limit and drive sober.”
Last year’s initiative resulted in over 46,000 citations issued by law enforcement officers across New York during Halloween week; more than 1,200 drivers were arrested for impaired driving while about 9,000 were ticketed for speeding.
Motorists should expect sobriety checkpoints as well as increased DWI patrols throughout this period targeting not only impaired drivers but also those who are distracted or speeding.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Halloween sees an elevated risk on roads due both to more impaired drivers as well as higher pedestrian activity compared with other nights of the year; in 2023 nearly one-third of fatal car crashes on Halloween involved an impaired driver while studies indicate pedestrian deaths rise by over forty percent on that night compared with average evenings nationwide.
NHTSA reports show that more than 13,000 people died due to impaired driving nationwide for two consecutive years recently; since 2019 there has been a twenty-two percent increase in drunk driving fatalities.
For those seeking transportation options after attending parties or events during Halloween week in New York state—the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee along with STOP-DWI Foundation offer a “Have a Plan” mobile app available on Apple or Android devices which helps users find taxi services or set up designated driver lists while providing information about DWI laws as well as reporting suspected impaired drivers.
