Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol and local officials announced on April 17 the start of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee “No Empty Chair” Campaign for 2026 at a press conference held at Adirondack High School. The event brought together members of the Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County Traffic Safety & DWI Coordinator Daniel DeLuke, Boonville Police Chief Dave Olney, Adirondack Central School Superintendent Heidi Smith, school officials, and students to highlight efforts aimed at keeping young drivers safe.
The No Empty Chair campaign is a weeklong education and enforcement initiative designed to reduce teen driving accidents during important milestones such as prom and graduation. Increased law enforcement presence will be seen near local high schools throughout the following week, focusing on violations related to New York’s Graduated Driver Licensing law.
The campaign will address several topics each day: underage drinking and impaired driving on Monday; seatbelts and child restraints on Tuesday; cell phone use and texting on Wednesday; Operation Safe Stop on Thursday; and speeding in school zones on Friday.
“I urge all of our young drivers in Oneida County to value their lives and the lives of others when they take to the road,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “Make good decisions when it comes to alcohol and drugs and eliminate any distractions so that you can focus on driving safely and prevent a tragedy from occurring.”
Sheriff Maciol said, “This initiative is to keep teens safe so they can enjoy what is ahead of them – prom, graduation, and then moving on to the next step of their lives. Please buckle up, slow down, and put away your cell phones while driving. These few actions will make the highways safer for all and help prevent tragedy.”
Boonville Police Chief Dave Olney added: “Each year in our region our communities have to deal with senseless tragedies that happen to our youth on the roadways. Our youth are the promise of our future. Please make good, responsible decisions when driving or riding in a car. Put down the phone, slow down, wear your seatbelt, and do not drink and drive. Your future is in your hands.”
Superintendent Smith emphasized student responsibility: “As we begin to close out the 2025–2026 school year… Campaigns like No Empty Chair serve as an important reminder that the choices our young drivers make have real and lasting consequences… Trust your instincts, look out for one another, and make the choice to arrive safely.”
Daniel DeLuke said: “The no empty chair campaign is about helping teens make smart choices during some of the most exciting times of their lives… Our goal is simple: Keep our teens safe so they can continue building their future.”
