ALBANY — Raymond P. Martinez, Commissioner, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC), today announced that the GTSC has established a new grant program that will provide funds for local municipalities to enhance and expand STOP-DWI Program initiatives.

"For two decades the STOP-DWI Program has played an integral role in helping reduce the number of alcohol and other drug-related crashes," said Commissioner Martinez. "Additional funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee will only serve to augment the overwhelming success New York State and the STOP-DWI Program have in keeping our highways safe."

Commissioner Martinez added that the GTSC invited input from STOP-DWI coordinators from across the state, who identified what they considered to be the top three priorities for grant funding.  As a result of their suggestions, priority will be given to grant proposals that target youth initiatives, assist with collection of fines, and energize enforcement efforts.

Statistics indicate that since New York State increased the minimum legal purchase age from 19 to 21 in 1985, the number of alcohol-related fatalities for those under 21 has dropped nearly 60 percent.  Despite the success of New York's STOP-DWI Program, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for drivers under 20 years of age.  While underage motorists comprise only five percent of the total licensed drivers, they are involved in 14 percent of alcohol-related fatal crashes.

"It's alarming how over represented New York's youth are in fatal crashes," said Martinez. "While we've taken steps in the right direction to prevent these tragedies from occurring, we must continue to develop and implement ideas that deter underage drinking.

"It is important that New York State continue to promote and support our successful highway safety strategies," said Martinez. "As Governor George Pataki reported, New York State achieved its safest driving year in history last year with a record-low ratio of traffic deaths to miles driven."

That milestone also gave New York its safest five-year period of highway travel since the early 1920's – the first years such records were kept. Governor Pataki attributed much of this success to increased police enforcement, stricter laws, and a statewide crackdown on drinking and aggressive drivers, and others who engage in poor driving practices.

Commissioner Martinez expressed his appreciation for the support of the State Police and other law enforcement agencies in maintaining the safety of our highways. He also stated that the GTSC will continue to work with the STOP-DWI Coordinators Association to enhance statewide public information and education efforts on all aspects of highway safety.

Grant projects are tentatively expected to begin in January 2002.