Massachusetts Police Issue Nearly 6000 Citations in Traffic Crackdown

A regional traffic enforcement operation across six northeastern states resulted in nearly 6,000 citations and 36 arrests for operating under the influence from October 13 to 15, 2026. Massachusetts State Police led enforcement within the state, targeting dangerous driving on major highways and cross-border routes to reduce crashes and improve road safety.

According to Massachusetts State Police, troopers conducted 3,714 vehicle stops and issued more than 1,900 citations in Massachusetts. Officers made 16 arrests for operating under the influence during Operation Wicked Safe, which also involved Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Speeding accounted for 1,110 violations in Massachusetts. Troopers also issued 418 citations for hands-free law violations, 130 for seat belt violations and 253 for violations of the state's move-over law, according to figures released by the department.

Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said the operation aimed to address dangerous driving behaviors that threaten motorists throughout the region.

"Operation Wicked Safe sent a clear message that dangerous and distracted driving will not be tolerated on our roadways," Noble said.

The initiative concentrated on Interstates 90, 91, 84, 93, 95 and 395, Route 146 and other priority roads. State Police said enforcement activity across Massachusetts doubled compared with the same period a year earlier.

Commercial vehicle enforcement also uncovered substantial safety and compliance problems. Troopers inspected 577 trucks and commercial vehicles, identifying 1,307 serious violations, according to the department's published figures.

Those violations included suspended drivers, falsified logbooks, operating without a commercial driver's license, driving without a required ignition interlock device, controlled substances inside commercial vehicles and improperly adjusted brakes. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section made three arrests and issued $72,230 in fines.

Public Safety and Security Secretary Gina Kwon described the initiative as part of the state's broader approach to preventing roadway injuries and fatalities.

"Keeping people safe on our roads is a fundamental part of our public safety mission, and Operation Wicked Safe reflects the Massachusetts State Police's commitment to that work," Kwon said.

Agencies in the five other participating states collectively reported approximately 2,000 traffic citations, more than 900 speeding violations, 78 distracted-driving violations and 20 operating-under-the-influence arrests, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The operation was organized amid concerns about seasonal driving risks, including increased tourism, school traffic and changing weather conditions. State Police reported that October 2025 brought more than 4,000 crash-related service calls and 38 fatal crashes in Massachusetts, making it the deadliest month of that year.

Noble said coordinated enforcement across state borders increased police presence on regional roads and emphasized that Massachusetts State Police would continue addressing dangerous driving beyond the operation's designated dates.