State and local law enforcement in New York will increase patrols to address impaired and reckless driving during the Halloween period, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The enforcement effort is scheduled from October 25 through 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, added: “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.”
Superintendent Steven G. James of the New York State Police said: “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 stated: “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 campaign led officers across New York state to issue over 46,000 citations during Halloween week; more than 1,200 arrests were made for impaired driving offenses while nearly 9,000 tickets were issued for speeding.
The initiative includes sobriety checkpoints as well as increased DWI patrols targeting not only impaired drivers but also those who are distracted or exceeding speed limits.
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Halloween night sees a significant risk on roads due both to an increase in pedestrian activity—resulting in pedestrian deaths rising by about 43 percent compared with other nights—and because almost one-third (29 percent) of fatal car crashes on Halloween involve impaired drivers each year as recently as 2023. NHTSA figures indicate that drunk driving deaths have risen by 22 percent since 2019; over 13,000 people died annually in alcohol-related crashes for two consecutive years.
To support responsible decisions among partygoers needing transportation after events during this period, officials recommend using resources such as “Have a Plan,” a mobile app provided by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee together with STOP-DWI Foundation for Apple or Android devices; it allows users access taxi services contacts or set up designated driver lists while also providing legal information about DWI laws.
