State police upping patrols for Halloween

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In an effort to prevent tragedies caused by impaired drivers, the New York State Police will conduct a traffic enforcement effort during the Halloween weekend, including underage drinker identification details statewide.

The effort will from Thursday through Sunday.

Drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints, additional patrols, underage drinking and sales to minors’ enforcement.

“Halloween brings a large number of children walking and riding on our roadways,” said Superintendent Joseph D’Amico. “Drivers need to be aware of this and to exercise caution. Never drink and drive. Troopers will be out on our roads to enforce the traffic laws, to promote driver safety and to prevent a tragedy from happening.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that nationwide, Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to the high number of impaired drivers on the roads.

During the 2013 initiative, there were more than 1,300 accidents, more than 200 of which resulted in someone being injured. Six people were killed. Troopers also arrested 324 people for DWI and issued more than 21,000 tickets for speeding, distracted driving and other traffic violations.