STOP-DWI was legislated in New York State as a response to thousands of injuries and deaths caused each year by drunk drivers.  Studies of automobile crashes have repeatedly shown that drinking and driving are hazardous and high-risk combination and that a general deterrence model can help combat drunk driving.  Utilizing FOUR MAJOR COMPONENTS, the Steuben County local options program was established November 1981 to provide this general deterrence approach: 

A) ENFORCEMENT:     Thirteen (13) local Police Departments along with the Sheriff's Department and the New York State Police throughout Steuben County, have made a commitment to looking for and arresting drunk drivers.  STOP-DWI have funded two special DWI patrol cars which patrol the roads at peak late-night hours to increase a driver's chances of being arrested if driving drunk.  To facilitate law enforcement's DWI work, screening devices, breathalizers, radar units and audio visual equipment have been purchased by STOP DWI. Also, the New York State Police assist in periodic Road sobriety Check Points.  Steuben County DWI arrests have increased 23 percent since STOP-DWI.

B) ADJUDICATION:    includes Prosecution, Public Defender and Magistrates:

Prosecution:   all DWI cases are logged on the Steuben County computer in the district Attorney's Office.  The computer keeps tack of all DWI cases and informs each Court of DWI case status monthly.  DWI funds are used to administer this program.  Convictions for DWI and DWAI in Steuben County have increased over 100 percent since STOP-DWI.

Public Defender: STOP-DWI funds the Steuben County Public Defender, who provides representation of indigent persons charged with a violation of Section 1192, Vehicle & Traffic Law, which governs DWI.  The funds lesson the impact of the costs of an increased Public Defender and Assigned Counsel caseload brought about by increased enforcement and prosecution of both Misdemeanor and Felony DWI offenses.

Magistrates:  Town, village, city and county justices handle the arraignment and set fines, and receive compensation for data provided to stop DWI.

C) REHABILITATION:    Steuben County STOP-DWI supports the belief that problem drinkers must be identified and treated if we hope to solve the DWI problem.  Through the Steuben County Alcohol Abuse Program, offenders are evaluated for alcohol problems; and, where necessary, alcohol counseling is mandated.  This program provides the only certified treatment rehabilitation in Steuben County.  Also, as part part of our on-going Rehabilitation Program, STOP-DWI provides funds to assist in supervision of DWI Probationers.  The funds cover expenses for the Probation Officer when supervising the serious DWI offenders.

D) PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION: In addition to consistent Enforcement, Prosecution and Rehabilitation, STOP-DWI focuses on a wide variety of programs geared toward raising public awareness and enhancing the education of over 1,400 students in Steuben County.

The Bath Area Hope for Youth, The Steuben Council on Addictions, and Hornell Area Concern for Youth, is a tri-agency effort to spread awareness to our high school students.

Our STOP-DWI Program provides funds for Outreach counselors, educational materials and resources.  The three Agencies staff "professionals", use films, lectures, role plays, and problem solving in their comprehensive drinking and driving program.  "Alcohol Awareness Days" in our schools is also sponsored by STOP-DWI.

Promotional items with numerous STOP-DWI messages, plus radio and newspaper media messages are spread throughout the county; films are loaned to schools and community groups.

The Steuben County STOP-DWI Program is entirely funded through drunk driving fines received through town, village, city and county courts.

1. Know Thyself - become aware of your own alcohol tolerance and how many drinks you require before you are a dangerous driver and/or for your BAC (blood alcohol content) to be over the legal limit.  Limit your number of drinks per hour; drinking slowly helps.
2. When drinking with friends, try to convince the friend who has had too much to drink to ride home with you or to call a taxi. 
3. Promote the designated-driver concept - one licensed driver in a group refrains from drinking in order to ensure the entire group's safe drive home.
4. When entertaining, consider the following suggestions:
   • offer non-alcoholic beverages when serving alcoholic drinks.
   • stop serving alcohol after the meal in order to allow non-alcohol time to accrue before people leave.
   • be aware of anyone drinking too much and try to convince such a person not to drive home; take a taxi; spend the night; stay until sober;
   • refrain from "pushing" drinks on your guests and always provide food.
5. Teach children about responsible drinking both with information and by example.
6. Consider contracting with your teenager to call home for a ride if a sober ride is unavailable.  Agree to "no questions asker" at the time.
7. Provide money for a cab for teenagers who don't have a sober ride home.  Again, "no questions asked."
8. Use safety belts for every trip and ask passengers to do the same; half of the fatalities can be avoided by their use.
9. Report suspicious driving to police - erratic braking, weaving, straying off road, etc.
10. Write letters to your local newspaper so the editorial staff will know this is an issue of great public concern.
11. Become active in the local citizen action group such as SADD, MADD, RID, etc.

• Each year in this country, about 25,000 people are killed by drunk drivers or one person every 20 minutes; over 700,000 are injured.
• The U.S. has the highest number of alcohol-related fatalities, per capita of any nation in the world.
• The leading cause of death for Americans between age 16 and 24 is drunk driving.
• Five-Thousand (5,000) teens are killed each year by drunk driving.
• Annual U.S. economic toll for drunk driving is estimated at $24 billion.
• Drunk Driving is the fourth leading killer in the United States following heart disease, cancer, and strokes.  We don't know yet how to "cure" these three diseases, but we know the "cure" for drunk driving...

 

Violation	Mandatory Fine*	Maximum Jail Term	License Action
Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)**	$500-$1,000	1 Year	Revoked at least 6 months
Second DWI in 10 years	$1,000-$5,000	4 Years	Revoked at least 1 yr.
Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI)	$300-$500	15 Days	Suspended 90 days
Second DWAI in 5 years	$500-$750	30 Days	Revoked at least 6 months
Third DWAI in 10 years	$750-$1500	90 Days	Revoked at least 6 months if 2 occurred within 5 years

*Additional surcharges apply for misdemeanors and for felonies.
**Penalties also apply to driving while impaired by a drug, called DWAI-drug.  Second violations in 10 yrs. are felonies.

(Accidents Caused by DWI)