2026 No Empty Chair Campaign Event Highlights Keeping Our…

2026 No Empty Chair Campaign Event Highlights Keeping Our Teen Drivers Safe & Alive Today, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, joined by members of the Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County Traffic Safety & DWI Coordinator Daniel DeLuke, Boonville Police Chief Dave Olney, Adirondack Central School Superintendent Mrs. Heidi Smith & school officials, and several students, held a Press Conference at the Adirondack High School to inform the public of The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee “No Empty Chair” Campaign for 2026. The campaign is a weeklong education and enforcement initiative created to keep young drivers safe. Superintendent Smith opened up the event speaking to the students in attendance stressing the importance of not making destructive decisions and how proud he is of the students in the Adirondack Central School District. County, State, and Local Law Enforcement will increase their presence in the vicinity of local High Schools throughout all of next week, and will be vigilant about violations of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law, which is designed to provide time for young people to gain critical experience in various traffic scenarios. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee 2026 “No Empty Chair Campaign” educational & enforcement topics include: Monday, April 20 – Underage Drinking and Impaired Driving;Tuesday, April 21 - Seatbelts and Child Restraints;Wednesday, April 22 - Cell Phone Use and Texting;Thursday, April 23 – Operation Safe StopFriday, April 23 – Speeding in School Zones “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.” “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”, according to Sheriff Robert Maciol. “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”, according to Boonville Police Chief Dave Olney. “As we begin to close out the 2025–2026 school year, we look ahead to memorable milestones like prom and graduation. These moments should be celebrated, safely, and by every student along with their families. Campaigns like No Empty Chair serve as an important reminder that the choices our young drivers make have real and lasting consequences. Through education and awareness, we hope to empower students to make responsible decisions that protect not only themselves, but their friends and their future. Trust your instincts, look out for one another, and make the choice to arrive safely”,According to Heidi Smith, Superintendent, Adirondack Central School District. "The no empty chair campaign is about helping teens make smart choices during some of the most exciting times of their lives. We want them to celebrate, make memories, and enjoy these moments. But to do it in a way that ensures everyone gets home safely at the end of the night." Said Daniel DeLuke Oneida County STOP-DWI Coordinator "Our goal is simple: Keep our teens safe so they can continue building their future and enjoying everything in life that comes next."