State Police announce the start of “Speed Week” enforcement campaign

PRESS RELEASE

The New York State Police will target speeding and aggressive drivers during a special weeklong traffic enforcement initiative. This year’s “Speed Week” enforcement campaign starts Thursday, June 6, 2019, and runs through Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Troopers will also actively patrol highway work zones and will target drivers who violate New York’s “Move Over” Law.

New York State Police Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, “As summer travel season ramps up, we want drivers to understand that speeding can bring tragic consequences. Our Troopers will be highly visible during this traffic enforcement period and throughout the peak summer driving period, to ensure that drivers are following the posted speed limits, and removing reckless drivers from the road.”

Speeding is listed as a contributing factor in nearly one third of all fatal crashes in New York State. According to the Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) at the University at Albany, in 2017, 301 people were killed and 18,178 were injured in New York State in speed-related crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people ages 3 – 33.

During this “Speed Week” enforcement period, Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of the operation. The CITE vehicles allow Troopers to more easily identify motorists who are violating laws while driving. These vehicles blend in with every day traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated.

Speeding by all vehicle types, as well as other traffic violations, will be heavily enforced throughout the week in addition to normal year-round enforcement. Troopers will also be watching for other traffic violations, including distracted or impaired drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers that are violating New York’s Move Over law.

During the June 2018 Speed Week campaign, State Troopers issued 24,581 total tickets, including 11,380 for speeding, 673 for distracted driving, and 388 for violations of the Move Over law.