Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation S.2712B/A.4755B to support local STOP-DWI programs by directing two of the mandatory surcharges currently assessed against those committing impaired driving offenses to fund local prevention programs. This law will provide essential resources to support county-level, community led interventions to protect New Yorkers.
“As a former County Clerk, I know how critical our local STOP-DWI programs are to protecting our families across the state from impaired driving,” Governor Hochul said. “Community led interventions are the most effective methods we have, and I am proud to sign this legislation to provide them direct support.”
New York State is a nationally recognized leader in traffic safety and combatting impaired driving, establishing the first Special Traffic Options Program for Driving While Impaired (STOP-DWI) program in the nation. Since 1981, STOP-DWI has provided thousands of training and intervention programs in schools and community centers, employing a general deterrence model focused on prevention, incapacitation, reform and changing behavior.
This new law will direct two surcharges assessed as part of impaired driving convictions to the relevant county’s STOP-DWI program. Since their inception, STOP-DWI programs have been funded by fines included in sentencing for impaired driving offenses. In recent years, as mandatory surcharges and other fees have been imposed on impaired driving convictions in addition to the base fine, funding for STOP-DWI has gone down by as much as 50 percent in certain counties, imperiling the financial stability of critical programs.
State Senator Tim Kennedy said, "New York’s STOP-DWI Program has long been the backbone of the State’s efforts to reduce the incidence of impaired driving, and its success in doing so has been notable. It is imperative that the fiscal integrity of the program be restored and maintained, and this bill, which I was proud to sponsor alongside Assemblymember Lupardo, would ensure that its efforts are prioritized in perpetuity. I thank Governor Hochul for signing this important legislation, and ensuring that this critical program receives the support needed to save lives and continue keeping our roads and communities safe."
Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “Local STOP-DWI programs are crucial to safe roads and safe communities. Over the years, funding has been diverted from these programs, putting essential services like sobriety checkpoints and driver rehabilitation programs at risk. At the same time, our state faces new challenges, including the opioid crisis and designer drug use. I’d like to thank Governor Hochul for signing our legislation into law and for restoring the funding our STOP-DWI programs from across the state need.”
Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J F. Schroeder said, “Raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving starts at the local level, and the STOP-DWI programs are the boots on the ground in that effort. These programs are taking the message to schools and the community, and bringing those whose lives have been forever changed by impaired driving in front of those charged and convicted of it to show the consequences of their bad actions. I commend Governor Hochul for taking action to give these programs the funding they need to continue this important work.”
New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, “Our members applaud Governor Hochul for signing this law that will direct mandatory surcharges for alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses to county-administered STOP-DWI Programs. This new law will go a long way to improve the integrity of our STOP-DWI programs, with an expected $6.825 million being redirected from the state general fund to the county efforts to combat and curtail incidents of impaired driving as a result of alcohol and drug use. That was the original purpose of these surcharges.”
Erie County District Attorney and District Attorneys Association of the State of New York President John J. Flynn said, “New York's STOP-DWI program was the first of its kind in the nation and has served as a model for similar programs across the country. It is widely credited as a significant contributor to New York's success in reducing DWI injuries and fatalities. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing this legislation that is a logical solution to helping fund this valuable program. Thank you to the bill's sponsors, Senator Tim Kennedy and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo, for prioritizing this issue. Our state is facing increasing challenges related to impaired drivers and the STOP-DWI program needs to be adequately funded to continue its mission in helping to combat alcohol- and drug-related injuries.
President of the New York State Sheriffs’ Association and Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said, “County STOP-DWI programs have prevented many needless deaths and ruined lives, through effective DWI prevention strategies. These programs deserve to be adequately funded, and the Governor’s action today assures that they will have the resources to continue well into the future. We congratulate the Governor and the sponsors of this legislation upon this important measure being signed into law.”