BC STOP DWI
Welcome to the Broome County
STOP-DWI Program
A Leader in Traffic Safety!
Broome County STOP-DWI is proud to be a local sponsor of:
- NY Yankees Baseball on YES [wmv, 30 seconds]
- NY Mets Baseball on SNY [wmv, 30 seconds]
25TH Annual Chris Thater Memorial Photo Array
Upcoming Events
2008 STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign
This year's STOP-DWI Crackdown Campaign will target the following weekends/time periods.
St. Patrick's Day – March 14-17
Memorial Day – May 23-26
Fourth of July – June 27- July 6
National Enforcement Crackdown (Labor Day) – August 13-September 1
Halloween – October 24-31
Holidays – November 21-December 31
17th Annual STOP-DWI Holiday Classic December 28 — 30, 2008
Mission Statement
To develop and coordinate a comprehensive DWI counter-measure program to deter the incidence of drunk driving and the occurrence of alcohol related traffic injuries and fatalities.
Program Description
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 purposes of empowering county governments to coordinate local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes within the context of a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining alcohol and highway safety program.
Pursuant to Article 43-A Section 1197 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, the Broome County STOP-DWI Program develops and coordinates a comprehensive DWI countermeasures program - that places a priority on general deterrence - the prevention of drunk driving through the increased certainty of arrest and conviction. To that end, STOP-DWI funds extra police patrols that are dedicated to DWI enforcement. STOP-DWI also provides specialized breath testing equipment and video cameras to police agencies as well. The District Attorney's office receives funds to hire an additional prosecutor to specialize in DWI cases. STOP-DWI also funds a position with the Broome County Probation Department to deal with recidivist DWI offenders.
STOP-DWI also undertakes a large print and electronic media campaign to educate the public about the dangers of drunk driving, the increased certainty of arrest and penalties one faces if convicted of DWI. Additionally, STOP-DWI helps sponsor numerous training seminars for professionals who deal with various aspects of the drunk driving issue. STOP-DWI works with local, middle and high school SADD Chapters and conducts outreach programs and community based education efforts. The STOP-DWI Program sponsors a high school boys basketball tournament, girl's softball tournament, a bicycle race and a 5K Run/Walk, using the popularity of sports to further promote a STOP-DWI and healthy lifestyle message.
Funding
STOP-DWI funding is limited to enhancement programs which reduce the incidence of drunk driving. The program is supported entirely by the fines paid by people convicted of driving while intoxicated and from monthly supervision fees paid by people serving a sentence of probation as a result of their DWI conviction.
Broome County STOP-DWI – A Success Story
The Broome County STOP-DWI Program's mission is to improve highway safety through the prevention of drunk driving in our community. As a result of STOP-DWI's comprehensive effort, Broome County has achieved much success in the effort to combat drunk driving: many lives have been saved; the number of people seriously injured has been dramatically reduced and cultural attitudes concerning drinking and driving have changed.
Key to the success of Broome County's STOP-DWI efforts has been the continued focus on the core components of the program: law enforcement, prosecution and education/public awareness. Broome County has reduced the incidence of driving while intoxicated by maintaining a highly visible law enforcement campaign, supporting prosecution efforts, lobbying for tougher laws to deal with DWI offenders while developing an education and public awareness campaign to keep the issue out in front of the public.
- During the 1980's an average of 13 people died each year on Broome County roadways due to drunk driving. In the 1990's Broome County's annual average declined to 5 per year. And for the decade of the 2000's Broome County has averaged 3 DWI fatals per year. In 2007 14 people were killed on Broome County roadways (the lowest since 1995 [11]) - 4 were a result of drunk driving.
- During the 1990's Broome County had an average of 125 alcohol related personal injury crashes each year. In 2006 Broome County had 65 - a 48% decrease from the annual average of the 1990's.
- During the 1990's an average of 168 people were injured each year in alcohol related crashes. In 2006 86 people were injured - a 49% decrease from the annual average of the 1990's.
- During the 1990's Broome County averaged 572 nighttime personal injury and fatal crashes each year (includes all crashes - alcohol and non-alcohol). In 2006 Broome County had 359 - a 37% decrease from the annual average of the 1990's.
- During the 1990's Broome County averaged 216 weekend nighttime personal injury and fatal crashes each year (Friday and Saturday nights [6pm-6am] includes all crashes - alcohol and non-alcohol crashes). In 2006, Broome County had 153 - a 29% decrease from the annual average of the 1990's.
2007 Highlights
- Broome County Law Enforcement Agencies, the New York State Police and Binghamton University Police deploy dedicated DWI patrols, conduct DWI check points, and undertake underage sting operations and video tape DWI suspects in an effort to prevent drunk driving. >
- 762 people were arrested in Broome County for DWI in 2007.
- STOP-DWI funded patrol activities produced 167 DWI arrests and 1,831 Vehicle and Traffic tickets.
- The Broome County District Attorney's Office has one of the top conviction rates for drunk driving offenses in New York State (ranks 6 out of 62 counties).
- The Broome County STOP-DWI Program has earned a statewide reputation for its multi-media STOP-DWI public awareness campaign and the numerous community events it promotes to draw attention to the drunk driving problem.
- STOP-DWI sponsored a number of seminars during 2007 including the following topics: server alcohol training for restaurant and tavern owners, drug impairment training for education professionals, understanding substance abuse and high risk behaviors of adolescents and new strategies for the treatment and supervision of the chronic drunk driver.
- The 24th Annual Chris Thater Memorial was broadcast live nationally on WCSN-TV, regionally on Time Warner Sports and globally on WCSN.com. The Chris Thater Memorial is held in memory of Chris Thater who was killed by a drunk driver. The event is one of the premier cycling and running events in America. The event provides $300,000+ in economic impact to Broome County.
- STOP-DWI promoted the 16th Annual STOP-DWI Holiday Classic -a 16 team national invitational high school basketball tournament - recognized as one of the top holiday tournaments in the United States - over 11,000 attended the event.
2008 STOP-DWI Program Objectives
ENFORCEMENT AND ADJUDICATION COMPONENT
- Continue the STOP-DWI Task Force Program involving specially marked patrol vehicles and overtime patrols that are dedicated to DWI enforcement.
- Continue the video tape program in which DWI offenders are video taped at the scene of arrest and at police stations.
- Purchase specialized breath testing equipment and supplies for DWI enforcement.
- Support specialized crash investigation and reconstruction efforts among Broome County's law enforcement agencies.
- Continue the STOP-DWI Prosecution Program with the Broome County's District Attorney's Office.
- Continue the STOP-DWI Probation Program with the Broome County Probation Department.
- Continue funding an in-house random drug testing program for DWI Probationers.
Education and Public Awareness Component:
- Continue specialized education programs for enforcement, prosecution, education and treatment professionals who deal with various aspects of the drunk driving issue.
- Conduct a comprehensive electronic and print advertising campaign to promote awareness about the DWI issue.
- Conduct special events such as the STOP-DWI Holiday Classic, STOP-DWI Tournament of Champions, Chris Thater Memorial and the Danielle Stento How To Save A Life Contest to further promote the STOP-DWI message to youth and the community.
- Conduct community outreach by public speaking engagements, presenting booths at health fairs and trade shows and by making available videos, displays and printed materials to schools and other organizations.
- Continue to support SADD at the middle and high school levels.
Administrative/Evaluation Component:
- Work with the STOP-DWI Advisory Board, local officials and public and private community organizations to develop and coordinate a comprehensive DWI countermeasure program.
- onitor and evaluate traffic accident, arrest and conviction data to assess the effectiveness of Broome County's STOP-DWI effort.
- Seek private/corporate sponsorship to help finance education and promotional efforts.
Other Achievements
- Since 1991, STOP-DWI's photography, graphic arts and media partners have won twelve Binghamton Ad Club Genesis Awards for their print and television ad campaigns to prevent DWI.
- In 1995 and 1999 and again in 2006, a Broome County STOP-DWI commercial won first place in the New York State Broadcasters Association Public Service Announcements division.
- Received a 1995 Project Pride Award from the Broome County Chamber of Commerce.
- Danielle Stento 5K Run/Walk has raised over $300,000 since the event began in 1992 to benefit local organizations that deal with the DWI issue.
- STOP-DWI Holiday Classic rated one of the top high school boys basketball tournaments in the United States. Recognized as the outstanding alcohol education/prevention program in New York State in 1994 – L. Richard Novelli Award Recipient.
- Chris Thater Memorial, held in memory of a DWI victim, is one of North America's top pro cycling events. The event also includes a national caliber 5K Run. Recognized as the outstanding alcohol education/prevention program in New York State in 2001 – L. Richard Novelli Award Recipient.
- STOP-DWI Coordinator received the Honorable Senator William T. Smith Award in 1994 and again in 2003 in recognition for his contribution to the STOP-DWI effort in New York State.
- STOP-DWI Coordinator received the Community Service Award by the New York State Athletic Administrators Association in 1997 for his work with substance abuse and athletics.
- STOP-DWI Coordinator received the 2001 Liberty Bell Award by the Broome County Bar Association for his contribution to the criminal justice system.
- STOP-DWI Coordinator received the 2002 New York State Safe and Sober STOP-DWI Coordinator Award by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service and Mothers Against Drunk Driving for outstanding dedication to highway safety efforts in New York State.
- Broome County STOP-DWI Program recognized by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce with the 2006 Community Advocate Award.
- Stop-DWI Coordinator received the 2006 James Palmer, M.D. Certificate of Achievement Award from United Health Services in recognition of his contributions to the field of alcoholism/chemical dependency.
