Governor Cuomo Announces Results of "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" Enforcement Campaign

SEPTEMBER 8, 2016 Albany, NY

State Police Arrested More Than 700 Drivers For DWI and Issued More Than 47,000 Tickets During 18 Day Enforcement Period

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced today that State Police arrested 739 individuals for driving while intoxicated during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national crackdown on impaired driving. The campaign, which ran from Friday, August 19 to Monday, September 5, is aimed at significantly reducing deaths and injuries caused by motorists driving drunk or impaired by drugs.

"Impaired and reckless drivers are a danger to themselves and others on New York's roadways and we have zero tolerance for this dangerous and selfish behavior," Governor Cuomo said. "I thank state and local law enforcement for their efforts to get these menaces out from behind the wheel and off our streets and for their continuing efforts to protect the safety of all New Yorkers."

State Police and local law enforcement agencies also targeted drivers who were distracted, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and not abiding by the "move over" law. The campaign was coordinated and funded by the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

State Police report that of the 739 DWI arrests between the August 19 to September 5 enforcement period, 219 occurred during Labor Day weekend alone. For the entire 18 day campaign, Troopers issued 43,704 total tickets, including 17,555 for speeding, 1,413 for distracted driving, 2,306 for child restraint and seatbelt violations, and 531 for failing to "move over."

Additionally, Troopers investigated a total of 3,243 crashes, compared to 2,973 last year. Of these crashes, 1,006 people were injured, and 11 people were killed.

New York State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, "Our message is very simple: Drive sober, put on your seat belt and put down your smart phone. Making these smart choices each time you get behind the wheel will help avoid needless tragedies. The State Police will continue to work with our local partners to target reckless drivers and keep our highways safe."

Terri Egan, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Acting Chair and Department of Motor Vehicles Executive Deputy Commissioner said, "While we have made great strides combating drunk and drugged driving, it is clear that many drivers are not getting the message that reckless behavior costs lives on our roadways each and every day.

In addition to impaired driving, there are so many factors contributing to unsafe and dangerous driving, such as distracted driving, making it more important than ever to support our partners in state and local law enforcement and traffic safety to keep New Yorkers safe. I thank the New York State Police and all law enforcement for protecting motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians, not only during crackdown periods, but each
and every day."

The results of the campaign are broken down by Troop region below:

Governor Cuomo signed legislation expanding New York State's "Move-Over" Law to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers.

The measure (S.7938/A.8702-A) requires drivers to slow down and move over a lane when approaching a vehicle with flashing blue or green lights that are operated by volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers involved in a roadside emergency.

"Our first responders risk their lives day in and day out, often putting their own safety and well being in jeopardy in order to protect their communities and their fellow New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said, "This new law will help ensure that first responders are protected from avoidable hazards when responding to a roadside emergency."

Previously, the "Move-Over" law only applied to drivers approaching stopped police, emergency or hazard vehicles with flashing red and white or amber lights.

Senator David Valesky said, "The current 'Move-Over' Law protects police, emergency, and hazard vehicle operators by requiring approaching drivers to slow down and move one lane over, but volunteer emergency responders do not have the same protection. Expanding this law will extend that safeguard to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers when they are providing emergency assistance. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this
important protection into law."

Assemblyman William B Magnarelli said, "I want to thank the Governor for signing this important bill into law. It will make common sense changes to the "Move-Over Law" by expanding its coverage to include the "blue" and "green" lights that are used by many volunteer fire and ambulance companies. All first responders deserve the protections of the "Move-Over Law" when responding to incidents and emergencies on our roadways.
This new law will help keep them safe when they are serving the public."