Officials Announce Latest Statewide STOP-DWI Effort

ALBANY, NY (08/14/2008)(readMedia)-- David J. Swarts, Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC); James F. May, Chairman of New York State STOP-DWI Association; Harry J. Corbitt, Superintendent of the State Police; Peter R. Kehoe, Executive Director of the State Sheriffs’ Association; John P. Grebert, Executive Director of the State Association of Chiefs of Police; and Donna Kopec, New York Chapter President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) today announced the latest statewide STOP-DWI enforcement effort. This crackdown coincides with the national initiative called “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest,” which runs from August 15-September 2 for the Labor Day holiday.

During the enforcement wave, law enforcement agencies throughout the state will be out in force, utilizing sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols to reduce the incidence of drunk driving and to ensure the safety of our roadways. Motorists are reminded that driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or higher will put them over the limit and under arrest.

“These important STOP-DWI efforts have led to significant reductions in the number of alcohol-related fatalities, but still too many lives are being lost because of crashes caused by drunk or impaired drivers,” said Commissioner Swarts. “Our message is simple. This careless disregard for human life must stop. To help ensure that happens, law enforcement across the state is dedicated to getting impaired drivers off the road and save lives that might otherwise be lost.”

Across the country, every 30 minutes someone dies in an alcohol-related crash. Last year alone, more than one million people nationwide were injured in automobile crashes in which alcohol was a factor. In fact, in 2006 there were nearly 8,000 alcohol-related crashes in which almost 400 lives were lost in New York. While New Yorkers are less likely to be involved in an impaired driving crash today than in years past, motorists should not become complacent about the dangers of alcohol or drug use and driving.

James F. May, Chairman of the New York State STOP-DWI Association, Inc. said, “The New York State STOP-DWI Association is pleased to participate in the nationwide crackdown campaign. These highly visible drunk driving enforcement efforts serve to remind everyone to drive sober. We hope the STOP-DWI Crackdowns that target the holiday weekends throughout the year help make our roadways safer.”

Superintendent Harry J. Corbitt of the New York State Police said, “Once again, a family grieves at the loss of an innocent loved one due to a drunk driving crash. Port Dickinson Police Officer Aldo Rossi died needlessly while serving his community. Our resolve to prevent similar tragedies through strict enforcement of DWI laws is strengthened. During the upcoming Labor Day period, State Troopers will join municipal police and sheriffs in an effort to eradicate this dangerous and criminal behavior.”

Peter R. Kehoe, Executive Director of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association said, “As the summer season comes to an end with the celebration of Labor Day, we are once again reminded of the deadly consequences of impaired driving. Those who choose to drink and drive risk killing or injuring not only themselves, but all users of our streets and highways; this type of thoughtless behavior can not be tolerated. The Sheriffs of New York, in cooperation with all other law enforcement personnel, will be out in force during the national “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest” crackdown period. Our deputies’ mission is clear – to detect, arrest and incarcerate those drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.”

John P. Grebert of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police said, “Impaired driving is no accident, nor is it a victimless crime. We all have witnessed the tragic outcomes of this offense and are well aware of the resulting emotional impact impaired driving has in our communities. Each year thousands of lives are lost as a result of motorists operating their vehicles while their ability is impaired. That is why our Association applauds the efforts of our law enforcement community and traffic safety partners who stand united on the front line of defense in this campaign. Our high-visibility enforcement efforts will deter and remove impaired drivers from our highways and reduce needless fatalities.”

President Donna Kopec of the New York Chapter of MADD said, “MADD supports the upcoming Labor Day enforcement crackdown as one of the key initiatives of our Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving. Highly publicized, highly visible and frequent sobriety checkpoints are one of the most effective tools we have to deter drunk driving. Drivers throughout the state should think twice before getting behind the wheel when intoxicated during this crackdown and throughout the year.”

STOP-DWI stands for “Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated.” The STOP-DWI program was enacted for the purpose of coordinating local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related crashes in a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining highway safety program. The STOP-DWI program permits each of the state's counties to establish a STOP-DWI Program that qualifies for the return of all fines collected for alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses occurring within its jurisdiction.

All 62 counties have opted to participate. Each county appoints a STOP-DWI Coordinator, whose duties include the coordination of efforts by agencies involved in prevention of alcohol and drug impaired driving and highway safety. Although the development and implementation of STOP-DWI programs rests with the counties, the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles is charged with the task of approving county STOP-DWI plans.

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