Get Ready For Massive Police Presence Around New York State For Holidays

There will be an increase in police on the roads across New York State this holiday season. If you drive high or impaired this holiday season, New York State Police will be looking for you! The law enforcement agency announced its "Drive High Get a DUI" campaign has kicked off.

The enforcement period is already underway; it kicked off yesterday, Wednesday, December 14, 2022, and runs through Sunday, January 1, 2023. All around New York State, there will be DUI checkpoints targeting impaired drivers, as well as more Troopers on the roadways. NYSP will be conducting underage drinker details around the state.

Troopers will be looking for distracted drivers, people who are not wearing their seatbelts, and drivers violating the "Move Over Law." They will use both marked and unmarked cars to catch drivers violating traffic laws.

The holiday crackdown in 2021 was massive. NY State Police arrested 522 people for DWI during last year's campaign. They gave out 12,285 tickets for speeding, 840 for distracted driving, and 289 for the “Move Over Law” violations, for a total of 35,016 tickets. There were also 14 fatal crashes during the holiday enforcement period.

Here’s The Penalty For Getting Caught Driving While High In New York State

The penalties for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are pretty harsh in New York, according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. There are several types of violations when it comes to driving while intoxicated.

New York State Penalties for Drug-Related Violations:

Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated (AGG DWI)
Mandatory fine of $1,000 - $2,500
Maximum jail time of up to 1-year
License revoked for at least one year

Second AGG DWI in 10 years
Mandatory fine of $1,000 - $5,000
Maximum jail time of up to 4-years
License revoked for at least 18-months

Third AGG DWI in 10 years
Mandatory fine of $2,000 - $10,000
Maximum jail time of up to 7-years
License revoked for at least 18-months

Driving While Impaired by a Drug (DWAI-Drug)
Mandatory fine of $500 - $1,000
Maximum jail time of up to 1-year
License revoked for at least six months

Second DWAI-Drug violation in 10 years
Mandatory fine of $1,000 - $5,000
Maximum jail time of up to 4-years
License revoked for at least one year

Third DWAI-Drug violation in 10 years
Mandatory fine of $2,000 - $10,000
Maximum jail time of up to 7-years
License revoked for at least one year

Driving While Ability Impaired by a Combination of Alcohol/Drugs (DWAI-Combination)
Mandatory fine of $500 - $1,000
Maximum jail time of up to 1 year
License revoked for at least six months

Second DWAI-Combination in 10 years
Mandatory fine of $1,000 - $5,000
Maximum jail time of up to 4 years
License revoked for at least one year

Third DWAI-Combination in 10 years
Mandatory fine of $2,000 - $10,000
Maximum jail time of up to 7-years
License revoked for at least one year

Chemical Test Refusal
$500 civil penalty ($550 for commercial drivers)
License revoked for at least one year/revoked for 18-months for commercial drivers

Chemical Test Refusal within five years of a previous DWI-related charge/Chemical Test Refusal $750 civil penalty
License revoked for at least 18-months/CDL permanently revoked for commercial drivers

You can see some of the other penalties here.

Driving under the influence could cost you up to $10,000 in fines, not to mention lawyer fees. You could also spend up to 7 years in prison (excluding any vehicular manslaughter charges).

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