Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2024
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
Vision Zero: Adams Administration Will Aggressively Enforce DWI During Winter Holiday Season
NYPD Will Focus Holiday Enforcement and Education Efforts on Speeding and Driving While Intoxicated
City Also Highlights Important State Legislation That Will Target DWI and Other Violations
NEW YORK – The New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT), NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) stood outside One Police Plaza today to announce major initiatives to crack down on speeding and drunk driving going into the holiday season.
“The NYPD encourages all New Yorkers to fully enjoy their holiday celebrations, and reminds them to do so responsibly by planning ahead,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “This may include using mass transportation or a ride-hailing service, or asking a friend or family member for assistance in navigating the city during this busy season. Our officers, as they do year-round, will be vigilant in monitoring for reckless driving and will be increasing enforcement of driving while intoxicated and speeding. It is crucial for motorists to recognize that traffic safety is a matter of public safety, which is the responsibility of everyone.”
“In this holiday season and all year long, we are grateful to our Vision Zero partners at the NYPD and TLC for helping us keep our streets safe,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “With expanded enforcement, drivers need to know not only that they will get stopped if they have been drinking, but also that getting behind the wheel drunk or impaired now comes with far greater consequences. Driving is a privilege, and we think our actions over the coming weeks will help save lives.”
“I’d like to extend my gratitude to our law enforcement partners for protecting New Yorkers during each and every holiday season,” said TLC Commissioner and Chair David Do. “This is the greatest city in the world when it comes to getting a safe ride home and avoiding impaired driving. If you go out and have a good time, use a TLC-licensed vehicle when the party’s over. Whether it’s a yellow or green taxi, a rideshare or a community car service, you have over 100,000 options to keep yourself and others safe.”
“This holiday season, your health and safety are our top priority,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “If you're planning to drink during your holiday celebrations, ask yourself if you are capable of driving safely before you get behind the wheel. If you’re in doubt, don’t drive. Instead, call a rideshare, take public transportation, or get a ride from a sober friend. Your safety, and the safety of others, is the greatest gift you can give this season.”
Today's Vision Zero announcement includes:
NYPD Holiday Enforcement: NYPD will be actively enforcing laws against speeding and DWI throughout the holiday season and into the new year. Enforcement will be conducted by NYPD Highway Patrol and local precinct officers using sight and remote sensing devices on major highways, roads, and secondary streets where excessive speeds have previously been observed, including by DOT speed cameras.
Legislation to Combat Dangerous Driving, including DWI: More than 30 percent of crashes in New York state involve alcohol. Since the pandemic, the share of traffic fatalities in New York City related to DWI has increased, reflecting larger national trends involving alcohol consumption. In 2023, 50 traffic fatalities in New York City were directly tied to DWI, a 24 percent increase over the prior three year average of 40.3 fatalities. More recently, on July 4 of this year, an allegedly intoxicated driver killed four pedestrians in a single crash on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
To address the ongoing problem, the city will also continue to support two important pieces of legislation sponsored in the last Albany session:
- Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Mannion and Assemblymember William Magnarelli that would reduce so called ‘drugged-driving.’ New York remains one of the only states where law enforcement officers must provide a toxicology test in order to prosecute a driver for driving while impaired by drugs. This bill would allow Drug Recognition Experts to charge drivers based on their observations — and help deter this dangerous behavior.
- Legislation sponsored by State Senator John Liu and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon would lower the DWI threshold from .08 percent to .05 percent blood-alcohol concentration (BAC), the level at which impaired drivers are more likely to be involved in a crash. This would align New York with peer countries across the world — including Australia, Argentina, France, South Africa, and Japan.
“Even as we celebrate this holiday season, it’s important for New Yorkers to remember not to drive unsafely, at excessive speeds, or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said State Senator Brian Kavanagh. “I applaud the NYPD, NYC DOT, the TLC, and DOHMH for their efforts to curb impaired driving and for their ongoing mission to keep our streets safe.”
“The holidays are the deadliest time of year when it comes to drinking and driving so the city is right to step up enforcement so that all can enjoy the season without fear of a preventable tragedy striking,” said New York State Senator John Liu. “In the long-term, we need to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from .08 to .05 as over 100 countries around the world have already done if we are to make a lasting impact and save lives. Many thanks to Mayor Adams, DOT, TLC, DOHMH and the NYPD for their combined efforts to make our streets safer this holiday season.”