New York (WWTI) -- State Police will be out in full force, keeping a watchful eye on Speeders, Drunk Drivers, Cell Phone Users and anyone else who might be a danger on the highway over the next several days.
The highest traffic volumes of the year typically occur during the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend. It is also a period when alcohol consumption is widespread. Troopers are reminding all motorists to avoid being victims of highway emergencies by designating sober drivers, making a commitment to not use mobile phones while driving, and buckling up all occupants. Travel preparation should include plenty of rest before departing, and anticipating busy roads and highways.
“The Holiday Season is a special time for families and friends, and getting there safely needs to be the primary focus of every driver on the road,” said State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico. “With the high traffic volumes we anticipate, the stakes are just too high. So we are redoubling our efforts to minimize tragedies.”
The effort will incorporate sobriety checkpoints and dedicated DWI roving patrols, as well as an “Operation Hang-up” initiative, which utilizes covertly marked patrol vehicles to apprehend drivers talking on the phone or texting.
During the 2011 Thanksgiving Holiday period, troopers issued 4,353 speeding tickets and arrested 277 drivers for DWI. During the last Operation Hang-up initiative in April 2012, troopers issued more than 3,000 tickets for phone and texting violations.
