Local Campaign Reminds Drivers Of The ‘No Empty Chair’ Message

The New York State Police announced on April 20, 2026, their participation in the statewide, multi-agency traffic safety campaign focused on reducing crashes involving teen drivers.

NYS Police note that communities across New York State experience tragic losses of high school students in traffic crashes leading up to graduation every year.

In an effort to reduce these tragedies, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) launched a campaign in 2014 to help reduce these tragedies, named "No Empty Chair.' It symbolizes the absence of a high school senior lost to a preventable crash on graduation day.

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The campaign began on April 20th and runs through Friday, April 24, 2026. New York State Police and partner law enforcement agencies are conducting targeted enforcement to address traffic violations before and during graduation season.

Each day of the week-long campaign, NYS Troopers are focusing on a different traffic safety risk. In addition, they continue to concentrate efforts on the “Operation Safe Stop,” which promotes school bus safety through education and enforcement efforts.

No Empty Chair Daily Themes

• Monday, April 20th - Underage drinking and impaired driving
• Tuesday, April 21th - Seatbelts and child restraints
• Wednesday, April 22nd - Cell phone use and texting
• Thursday, April 23rd - Operation Safe Stop
• Friday, April 24th - Speeding in school zones

NYS Toopers are utilizing marked and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement vehicles. Safe driving behaviors are critical to protecting young drivers and ensuring every student arrives safely at graduation.

New York State Driver Violation Point Values

• Speeding 1–10 MPH over limit – 3 points
• Speeding 11–20 MPH over limit – 4 points
• Speeding 21–30 MPH over limit – 6 points
• Speeding 31–40 MPH over limit – 8 points
• Speeding more than 40 MPH over the limit – 11 points
• Improper cell phone use – 5 points
• No seat belt (under age 16) – 3 points
• Child safety seat violation – 3 points
• Failure to stop for a school bus – 8 points

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