Kingston, N.Y. - Ulster County Executive Mike Hein is pleased to recognize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s proclamation declaring November 2018 as STOP-DWI Month in New York State. The Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Impaired (“STOP-DWI”) was created by the State Legislature in 1981 and became the first program in the nation to be funded exclusively by the fines imposed on convicted impaired drivers. The program empowers counties to coordinate local efforts to fulfill their mission of reducing the number of persons killed or injured in alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes. STOP-DWI Program has become a model for similar programs across the nation. Since the implementation of the STOP-DWI Program, fatalities from alcohol-related accidents in New York State have decreased by 74 percent. Since 2009, all alcohol-related accidents in New York have decreased by 10 percent and fatal alcohol-related crashes have fallen by approximately 30 percent.
Michael P. Hein, Ulster County Executive
“Too many families are torn apart by the tragic consequences of drunk driving and anything we can do to end this behavior is critically important, not just for the individual, but for society as a whole,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “I appreciate Governor Cuomo’s recognition of November as Stop-DWI Month in New York State, highlighting the importance of this vital program as we work together to educate the public of the dangers of driving while impaired. I commend Ulster County’s Stop-DWI team and our local law enforcement agencies who continue to work to save lives and reduce the number of alcohol and drug related traffic crashes and thank them for helping to keep our residents and roadways safe.”
Nancy Schmidt, Director Ulster County Department of Probation and STOP-DWI Coordinator
“The Ulster County Stop-DWI program has a long history of prevention efforts aimed at reducing alcohol or other drug-related crashes in Ulster County,” said Nancy Schmidt, Director of Ulster County Probation Department and STOP-DWI Coordinator. “We do this with excellent partnerships in the County Executive's Office, law enforcement, the District Attorney's Office and our NYS state partners. Our outreach efforts to schools and the community are also an important part of getting the message out to people not to drink and drive and to have a sober plan to get home safely.”
Ulster County has a permanent memorial and walkway remembering those Ulster County residents killed by drunk drivers which was established on the grounds of the Ulster County Office Building in 1999 and rededicated in 2004. Plans are underway to update the memorial walkway culminating with a rededication in April 2019, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. Family members of victims from 2001 to present, who are interested in having their loved ones’ name included, may contact Ulster County STOP-DWI at 845-340-3448 or Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program at 845-340-3443 for further information.
