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Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa is reminding residents to celebrate St. Patrick's Day responsibly as law enforcement agencies across New York state prepare for heightened patrols during the holiday period. The sheriff's message comes as part of a statewide traffic safety enforcement operation running through Tuesday (March 17).
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the annual impaired driving crackdown, which began March 9 and continues through St. Patrick's Day. State and local police will conduct DWI checkpoints and increase roving patrols to monitor for speeding, distracted driving, and violations of New York's Move Over Law, which requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching stopped vehicles.
Sheriff Figueroa emphasized the importance of safe celebration in Kingston and throughout Ulster County. Extra police patrols will be deployed during the holiday to ensure residents can enjoy the festivities without endangering themselves or others.
"As Governor, there is no greater commitment than my promise to make our state safer for all," Governor Hochul said in a statement. "Impaired driving is completely preventable, especially in the age of ride share services, taxis and technology such as the 'Have a Plan' app."
Last year's St. Patrick's Day enforcement operation resulted in 1,224 DWI arrests statewide, along with 10,314 speeding tickets and 55,661 total citations. Officials stress that impaired driving remains completely preventable with the availability of rideshare services, taxis, and the state's "Have a Plan" mobile app, which provides information on transportation options and DWI laws.
The statewide crackdown reflects New York's zero-tolerance approach to impaired and reckless driving. Law enforcement agencies will maintain heightened vigilance throughout the enforcement period to remove dangerous drivers from the roads and protect public safety during the holiday celebrations.