GTSC Begins New Public Information Campaign

ALBANY, NY (11/21/2007)(readMedia)-- Commissioner David J. Swarts of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today announced the beginning of a new public information campaign. The innovative multimedia effort designed to remind motorists of the dangers of drinking and driving during the upcoming holiday season includes television and radio commercials and the distribution of drink coasters to some establishments that serve alcohol.

The public information campaign called “Drinking and Driving. Not An Option” consists of :30 and :15 second television and :60 and :30 second radio public service announcements that are being aired statewide in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association. The public service announcements depict a young couple leaving a holiday get together, then driving to pick up their child from the grandmother’s home, and ends with the viewer not clearly knowing the outcome of their mistake of drinking and driving. The ads will begin this week and through the New Year holiday. The other component of the campaign includes drink coasters being distributed to some places that serve alcohol in cooperation with the State Liquor Authority. The distribution of the coasters will take place during the next month. To view the commercials, please visit www.nysdmv.com or www.safeny.com.

“This innovative public information campaign is aimed at reminding people that drinking and driving during this holiday season carries with it many serious consequences. It does not matter if you are at a company gala or just spending some time with family or friends at a house party, drinking and driving is ‘Not An Option’,” said Commissioner Swarts. “The festive season from Thanksgiving through the New Year holiday should be a time of sharing with family and friends and not marred by an impaired driving offense, or worse, a needless tragedy.”

Statistics show that impaired driving-related fatalities impacts many people each and every year. In fact, in 2006 there were 397 impaired driving fatalities, representing nearly 28 percent of all fatalities in New York State. Nationwide, an estimated more than 17,600 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes – an average of one every 30 minutes – in 2006. This campaign is designed to remind drivers that consumption of any amount of alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel is a bad idea.

The new ads were developed in conjunction with Working Pictures of Albany and Cathedral Sound Studios of Rensselaer. “Drinking and Driving. Not an Option” comes on the heels of several recent campaigns by the GTSC, including the “Get It Together. Buckle Up” program designed to remind motorists of the importance of using seat belts and an anti-drowsy driving event that coincided with the end of Daylight Savings Time.

The GTSC coordinates traffic safety activities across the State and is comprised of 13 member agencies, including the DMV. The head of each agency acts as that agency’s official representative to the Committee, whose initiatives include programs designed to promote highway safety.

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