The New York State Police is planning to increase enforcement on the Southern State Parkway (SSP), which covers approximately 25 miles across Long Island and has been the subject of numerous accidents in recent years. The leading cause of these accidents and injuries is speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. The initiative, 'Operation Southern Shield', will involve increased trooper presence along the SSP in both directions, access to aviation equipment, license plate readers, additional investigations personnel, and collaboration with Nassau and Suffolk County police and prosecutors. The goal of the initiative is to reduce preventable crashes, save lives and to remind drivers that every decision made behind the wheel matters.