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DRIVE SOBER!

WHAT IS STOP-DWI?

STOP-DWI stands for "Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Intoxicated".  The STOP-DWI program was enacted by the State Legislature in 1981 for the purpose of empowering and coordinating local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes within the context of a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining statewide alcohol and highway safety program.

The STOP-DWI legislation permits each of the state's 62 counties to establish a county STOP-DWI Program which qualifies the county for the return of all fines collected for alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses occurring in its jurisdiction.

All 62 counties have opted to participate.  Each county appoints a STOP-DWI Coordinator, whose duties include the development of a program and the coordination of efforts by agencies involved in alcohol and highway safety.

Although the development and implementation of STOP-DWI programs rests with the counties, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles is charged with the task of approving the county plans.

LOCAL OPTIONS

Each county is given broad discretion for expenditure of these funds and in the development of its individual program.  The "local option" concept set forth by the Legislature merely requires that the programs address alcohol and highway safety issues and be non-duplicative of related ongoing efforts.

The success of STOP-DWI is attributed to numerous factors.  Perhaps most importantly, its self-sufficiency creates a focal point for maintaining a comprehensive program with a continuous high profile.  The STOP-DWI Programs are in a position to continually renew and adjust strategies to maintain a high level of viability.

The goal of the STOP-DWI program is to reduce the rate of alcohol and other drug-related injuries and fatalities through the creation and funding of programs relating to enforcement, prosecution, probation, rehabilitation, public information and education and administration.

Counties may support initiatives such as: specially trained police units dedicated to DWI enforcement, special prosecutors and probation officers, rehabilitation services, and public information and education campaigns tailored to their communities.  Some counties combine their efforts in certain areas.  However, each program ultimately reflects the unique qualities and needs of the county.  Strategies that work in one county will not necessarily work in another.  Yet, from the diversity of needs comes innovation and creativity.

THE NEW YORK STATE STOP-DWI COORDINATORS ASSOCIATION is comprised of the STOP-DWI Coordinators of each county and the City of New York that administer plans to combat drunk driving for each program.

Collectively, the New York State STOP-DWI Coordinators Association facilitates the exchange of ideas and administration of new and innovative approaches for dealing with the drinking/or drug-impaired driver.

Initiatives are developed in the following Association Committees: Administration; Legislation; Enforcement and Adjudication; Public Information and Education; Rehabilitation;. Victim Services and Training.  In addition, the Association works with state officials and agencies to keep New York on the cutting edge of developments and strategies to reduce the incidence of deaths.

GUIDE TO ACQUIRING SPEAKERS, PANELISTS, AND RESOURCES

The NEW YORK STATE STOP-DWI COORDINATORS ASSOCIATION is structured to serve all populations of the state -and provide speakers, panelists and resources to all interested groups and organizations. On the back panel is a list of the STOP-DWI programs. For guidelines and expertise, contact your local program. TOPICS (not inclusive) STOP-DWI PROGRAM LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES VICTIM IMPACT PANELS CHEMICAL-FREE ACTIVITIES PROBATION RELATED TO DWI LOCAL AND STATE MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT DATA CRIMINAL JUSTICE FUNCTIONS ALCOHOL SERVER TRAINING DRIVER IMPROVEMENT EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ENFORCEMENT CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PROGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION