No Empty Chair Campaign Begins – Focus to Educate Young Drivers
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Both the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) and the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) began their annual “No Empty Chairs” campaign yesterday, Monday. The campaign is focused on preventing crashes and fatalities among teen drivers so there will not be any empty chairs during prom and graduation season.
“As warmer weather arrives, high school students throughout New York will be traveling to proms and graduations and parties, and we want them to get where they’re going safely,” said Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “Driving continues to be one of the leading causes of death for young people, and this doesn’t have to be. With some strong reminders, we hope to show teens the risks of the road. We want everyone to enjoy life’s momentous occasions.”
The campaign began on Monday and will continue through this Friday with each day having a specific enforcement detail. Both the GTSC and the DMV will also offer statewide events to educate young drivers about the challenges and dangers they may face while out on the road. Law enforcement will also have an increase in road patrols.
Specifics on each enforcement day can be found below.
- Monday, April 21, 2025– Speeding in School Zones
- Tuesday, April 22, 2025 – Seat belt and Child Restraints
- Wednesday, April 23, 2025 – Cell Phone Use and Texting
- Thursday, April 24, 2025 – Operation Safe Stop (passing stopped school buses)
- Friday, April 25, 2025– Underage Drinking and Impaired Driving
“Nearly every year, communities across New York State experience the tragic deaths of high school students in crashes just prior to graduation. With the start of the “No Empty Chair” campaign – we want to address the issues that contribute to these crashes before tragedy strikes and more young lives are lost. I thank the Department of Motor Vehicles for their partnership and shared mission in reducing the number of empty chairs at graduation ceremonies.”
Said Steven G. James, New York State Police Superintendent.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death and/or serious injuries for drivers between 16 and 20 years old; teens only represent 5% of licensed drivers, but account for 8.5% of traffic deaths and 12.6% of total crashes.
