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 the
incidence of impaired driving within the context of a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining highway safety program.
Pursuant to Article 31 Section 1197 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law and 15 NYCRR Part 172 of the Commissioner’s Rules and Regulations, the Broome County STOP-DWI Program develops and coordinates a comprehensive DWI
countermeasures program – that places a priority on general deterrence – the prevention of impaired driving through a high visibility enforcement and prosecution effort. To that end, STOP-DWI funds enhanced police patrols that are dedicated to DWI
enforcement as well as provides specialized breath testing equipment and video cameras to police agencies. The District Attorney’s office receives funds for a prosecutor to specialize in felony DWI cases. STOP-DWI also provides funding to the Broome
County Probation Department to monitor recidivist DWI offenders.
In addition, STOP-DWI funds an effective traditional and digital media campaign in order to heighten public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving and to promote the enforcement and prosecution efforts. STOP-DWI serves as the ignition interlock
device monitor for all DWI conditional discharge cases in Broome County. STOP-DWI also served as the Director of the SUNY Broome Impaired Driver Program.
STOP-DWI also sponsors numerous training seminars for prosecutors, police, educators, and treatment professionals who deal with various aspects of the impaired driving issues. STOP-DWI works with area middle and high schools and conducts numerous
community outreach programs. The STOP-DWI Program also uses the popularity of sports to further promote its safe driving and healthy lifestyles message.
STOP-DWI operates under 15 NYCRR Part 172 of the Commissioners Rules and Regulations which limits funding to only enhancement programs which reduce the incidence of impaired driving. Broome County’s STOP-DWI Program is supported entirely by
the fines paid by people convicted of driving while intoxicated, DWI probation supervision fees, and state and federal grants.
Current Year Objectives:
Enforcement and Adjudication Component:
- Continue the high visibility STOP-DWI Task Force Program involving overtime patrols that are dedicated to DWI enforcement.
- Continue the digital recording program in which DWI offenders are recorded 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.
- Support the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program with area police agencies.
- Continue the STOP-DWI Prosecution Program with the Broome County 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.
- Continue monitoring interlock devices for conditional discharge cases.
- Continue serving as Director of the Impaired Driver Program for SUNY Broome Community College.
Education and Public Awareness Component:
- Continue specialized education programs for enforcement, prosecution, education, and treatment professionals who deal with various aspects of the impaired driving issues.
- Continue to offer TIPS Alcohol Server Training Program to on-premise (bars, taverns) and off-premise (caterers) establishments and to work with licensed establishments on the prevention of impaired driving.
- Conduct community outreach via public speaking engagements, and by making available videos, displays, and printed materials to schools and other organizations.
- Continue to support education and public awareness activities in area middle schools and high schools.
- Conduct a comprehensive electronic and print advertising campaign to promote awareness about the DWI issue.
- Conduct special projects/events such as the STOP-DWI Winter Classic and Teen Traffic Safety Day to further promote the STOP-DWI and healthy lifestyles message to youth and the community.
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.
- Monitor and evaluate traffic crash, arrest, and conviction data to assess the effectiveness of Broome County’s STOP-DWI effort.
- Coordinate local efforts to implement the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) requirements of Leandra’s Law.
- Serve as Director of the SUNY Broome Impaired Driver Program
- Seek private/corporate sponsorship to help finance education and promotional efforts.
Current Year Budget Highlights
- Application of DWI fine revenues to cover FY program expenses at no cost to local taxpayers.
- Application of DWI Probation Supervision Fees to fund STOP-DWI’s Probation programming.
- Zero application of STOP-DWI fund balance to help finance budget.
- Maintaining a comprehensive DWI countermeasures program with declining DWI fine revenues.
- Providing financial assistance to county and local law enforcement for the purchase of specialized equipment and overtime patrols.
- Obtaining grant funding to off-set loss of DWI fine money to minimize reductions in law enforcement and education programs.
