New York Launches St. Patrick's Day DWI Crackdown

State police and local law enforcement to increase patrols and checkpoints during holiday period

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies will be increasing patrols, conducting sobriety checkpoints, and enforcing underage drinking laws during the St. Patrick's Day holiday period in an effort to crack down on drunk, impaired, and reckless driving.

Why it matters

Impaired driving is a major public safety concern, especially during holidays like St. Patrick's Day when alcohol consumption tends to increase. This crackdown aims to remove dangerous drivers from the roads and prevent tragedies.

The details

The enforcement campaign began on March 9 and will run through March 17. During this period, drivers can expect to encounter sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols across the state. Officers will also be watching for speeding, distracted driving, and violations of New York's Move Over Law. In addition, state police will conduct compliance checks at retail establishments to target underage drinking and unlawful alcohol sales to minors.

  • The enforcement campaign began on March 9 and will run through March 17.
  • During last year's St. Patrick's Day impaired driving enforcement campaign, officers statewide arrested 1,224 people for DWI, issued 10,314 tickets for speeding, and issued 55,661 tickets in total.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York, who stated that there is 'no greater commitment than my promise to make our state safer for all' and that the state has 'zero tolerance for drunk, drugged or reckless driving.'

Mark J.F. Schroeder

The Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, who warned that 'impaired driving can destroy your life' and urged drivers to 'have a plan for a safe ride' to get home.

Steven G. James

The Superintendent of the New York State Police, who stated that troopers and local law enforcement 'will be intercepting drunk drivers throughout the state this St. Patrick's Day' and that 'driving is a privilege, not a right.'

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What they’re saying

“As governor, there is no greater commitment than my promise to make our state safer for all, and I am grateful to our law enforcement partners for their commitment to keep New Yorkers safe.”

— Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York (tapinto.net)

“Impaired driving can destroy your life. Not only are you putting yourself and others on the roadways in danger, you are also risking a felony arrest, the loss of your driver's license and costly legal fees. Having a plan for a safe ride saves lives. It's simple — designate a sober driver to get home.”

— Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (tapinto.net)

“State Police and local law enforcement will be intercepting drunk drivers throughout the state this St. Patrick's Day. Driving is a privilege, not a right. The goal is to ensure people think twice before drinking and getting behind the wheel.”

— Steven G. James, Superintendent of the New York State Police (tapinto.net)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts by New York authorities to combat the serious public safety threat of impaired driving, especially during high-risk holiday periods when alcohol consumption tends to increase. The message is clear: there is zero tolerance for drunk, drugged, or reckless driving, and those who choose to get behind the wheel while impaired will face severe consequences.