NEW YORK — New York State Police issued more than 500 tickets, arrested four drivers for DWI, and took 49 commercial vehicles out of service during a single-day enforcement operation on the New York State Thruway on February 26, 2026, with 60 citations going specifically to commercial vehicle operators who attempted to avoid a checkpoint.

The operation was conducted by NYSP Troop T in response to multiple recent crashes this winter involving dozens of tractor-trailers, other commercial vehicles, and passenger vehicles on the Thruway. A total of 148 commercial vehicles were inspected during the detail.

The full results of the operation are as follows: 535 total tickets were issued to both passenger and commercial vehicle operators, including 224 citations for speeding and additional citations for Move Over Law violations, electronic device use and distracted driving, failure to wear a seatbelt, and commercial vehicle equipment, permit, and registration violations. Sixty citations were issued specifically to commercial vehicle operators who attempted to avoid the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit checkpoint. Forty-nine commercial vehicles were immediately taken out of service due to safety-related violations, including being overweight or over height. Four DWI arrests were also made.

NYS Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, "Ensuring that commercial vehicles on the Thruway are properly maintained and operated safely is essential to protecting everyone who relies on our system. Commercial drivers not only play a vital role in our state's economy, professional drivers also play a critical role in keeping our roadways safe, and we urge all operators to follow the rules of the road, conduct regular vehicle inspections, and make safety their top priority."

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James added, "Focused enforcement details such as these allow us to proactively respond to specific challenges, educate the public about safe driving, and when necessary, remove unsafe vehicles and motorists from the road. We've had an active winter and it's not over yet. While we can't control Mother Nature's impact on road conditions, we can — and must — control how we operate behind the wheel."

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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