New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Raymond P. Martinez today announced, at the 3rd bi-annual Commercial Driving Symposium held at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, that truck drivers in New York State soon will be able to go online and apply for up to four credentials at one time with a system known as OSCAR (One-Stop Credentialing and Registration System). This business-friendly, time saving system is the result of a partnership between many state and federal agencies.

In addition, also announced today is a new Click it or Ticket campaign in which drivers of large trucks and buses will become ambassadors for the DMV and law enforcement officials by displaying new Click it or Ticket placards on the sides of their trucks, urging motorists to buckle up.

"By partnering with other state and federal agencies, New York State is once again taking the lead on innovative programs aimed at creating a "Government without Walls"," said Raymond P. Martinez, Commissioner, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of Governor Pataki's Traffic Safety Committee. "These motor carriers can now access these essential services online, thus saving their companies time and money."

The OSCAR web-based program is designed to offer a motor carrier the ability to apply for up to four credentials at one time: an International Registration Plan (IRP) registration from DMV, Highway Use Tax (HUT) and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) permits from NYS Department of Tax and Finance and a Single State Registration credential from the NYS Department of Transportation. These State agencies have worked together on an Interagency Motor Carrier Task Force along with members of the State Police, Thruway Authority, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the New York State Motor Truck Association to design and pilot this system with funding provided by the State and FMCSA. The system will be available on May 1, 2003 and can be accessed at www.oscar.state.ny.us .

New York State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Arthur J. Roth said, "Since Governor George E. Pataki took office eight years ago, New York State has focused on providing superior service to our citizens and taxpayers. The Department of Taxation and Finance is proud to be involved with the OSCAR credentialing program as part of New York's overall effort to help our businesses be more competitive. OSCAR is a shining example of how government can provide businesses with the tools to not only succeed, but excel."

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph H. Boardman said, "Under the leadership of Governor Pataki, New York State has made great strides in developing new innovations to better serve the commercial trucking industry and promote security. With OSCAR, we are not only easing the process truckers use to apply, pay for and receive their credentials, but also improving our ability to ensure their compliance with commercial vehicle regulations."

The Click it or Ticket moving billboard program will kick off today with a presentation of 24"x 24" signs to over 1,000 truck drivers, courtesy of Governor Pataki's Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State Motor Truck Association, to show their commitment to driver safety. This program is a significant way to reach out to the motoring public, as the trucks will be traveling across the state on all major roadways, and also a great way for large trucks to help convey a safety message and contribute in a positive way to traffic safety, which is significant considering that one out of eight traffic fatalities in 2001 resulted from a collision involving a large truck.

Thomas M. Louizou, Regional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said, " Research shows that the use of safety belts reduces the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants by 45 percent and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. Furthermore, in those States that participated in the Click It or Ticket program, safety belt use increased by an average of 8.6 percent. That kind of belt use increase can save a lot of lives."

Kendra Pollard, Deputy Director of the New York State Motor Truck Association said, "Putting the Click it or Ticket message on large trucks allows them to play a positive role in helping to keep America's highways safe and it reaches other drivers directly when it can have the most impact - when they are out on the road."

Brian Temperine, Division Director of the New York Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Office in Albany said, "Traffic safety is everyone's responsibility, especially government and industry, that is why we are working so closely with everyone in government and industry to ensure safe transportation in the Empire State."

Donald Dessureau, Safety Director of Leroy Holding Company said, "If you consider the fact that Motor Carriers pass hundreds of vehicles per mile, you've got a powerful message medium - and a whole lot of drivers that can be impacted."

The Commercial Driver Symposium, sponsored by the DMV, takes place today and tomorrow at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel to foster the theme of Government and Industry: Achieving Safety Compliance and Security. Approximately 300 bus and truck drivers, safety directors, police officers, and government officials will convene for two days of education and training geared toward better security for motor carriers, and safer operation of their commercial vehicles.