A strong New York State Police crackdown over the July 4th weekend (July 3 to 6) resulted in 10,497 tickets. The campaign included sobriety checkpoints, more DWI patrols and an extra eye out for people illegally using electronic devices while driving, according to an article from the NBC affiliate WNYT in Albany.

During that time, state police said they arrested 210 people on DWI charges and investigated 716 crashes, including five fatal crashes. There were 3,508 tickets issued for speeding, 258 for distracted driving, 1,061 seat belt violations and 301 for violating the Move Over Law.

In Troop B for the same July 4th period, a total of 933 tickets were issued across the North Country. These included 360 for speeding, 12 for distracted driving, 74 for seatbelts, 61 for violating the “move over” law and eight for DWI. Equipment violation tickets totaled 116.

Troop B also investigated 59 crashes, including four personal injury crashes and one fatality in St. Lawrence County. Unfortunately, the deceased was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt.

Although these violations were the ones targeted during the crackdown, many tickets were issued for other violations, such as an expired inspection or registration. Extra enforcement by state police over holiday periods is not unusual. These crackdowns are announced ahead of the enforcement period, so drivers shouldn’t be surprised to see more patrol vehicles on our highways.

With the Labor Day holiday coming up, drivers throughout the five-county Troop B territory in northern New York State can expect another enforcement crackdown.