FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 6, 2009
TRAGIC TACONIC DWI HIGHLIGHTS AGAIN NEED TO EDUCATE ABOUT RISKY DRIVING
County government offering myriad of programs to area high schools
Coincidental to the tragic drunk-driving accident on the Taconic State Parkway last month that claimed eight lives, Westchester County is again offering a variety of programs to area schools to educate teens about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“The county will continue its stepped-up efforts to catch and arrest drivers of all ages who are driving while impaired,” County Executive Andy Spano said. “But separate from that, it is imperative that we educate our kids who are often fearless about the deadly consequences.”
Many teens understand the risks of driving after drinking – but are dismissive of the risks of driving after using marijuana or some other drug.
“The largest growth in impaired driving is drugged driving,” said Spano. “Since 1982, when serious DWI laws were enacted in New York, alcohol fatalities have dropped significantly. Young drivers in particular do not understand the message ‘Don’t drink and drive,’ but they don’t get that driving while their ability is impaired due to marijuana or other drugs -- including prescription medicines or over-the-counter drugs -- is just as deadly.”
Letters are going out to all school superintendents and high school principals in Westchester offering the following programs for their students:
· Teen Drinking Action Council : A mini-documentary featuring the work of high school students who meet to share ideas and plan drug and alcohol-free events at their schools. The film, to be presented at high schools in the fall, includes interviews with students from across the county, including a Pelham High School student whose senior year and career as a sports star were derailed by a drunk driver.
· DWI Computer-based simulator: The county government this spring unveiled a computer-based driving simulator that lets student see what it feels like to drive drunk. In recognition of the increasing threat of accidents caused by drivers using hand-held devices and sending text messages, the Web-based program allows for scenarios where a teen is using such a device while driving.
Spano said, “The story of Diane Schuler is particularly tragic because seven other people died, including four children. However, incidents of parents who drive while their ability is impaired are becoming all too common, with the number of mothers doing it on the increase.”
Spano noted that the state’s STOP-DWI Association recently formed a committee to review the statistics and develop some strategies to help reduce this growing number. Westchester County sent representatives to this meeting in June. Here is a sampling of some statistics:
· Through June 2009, women accounted for 17% of those arrested for driving while intoxicated or impaired, up 2 percent from last year.
· Over the last seven years in Westchester, arrests for impaired driving have increased from 3,752 in 2001 to 5,201 in 2008 -- a 39 percent increase countywide in seven years.
· The increase in arrests is not only related to more people drinking or drugging and driving but can be attributable to more sophisticated training for police officers. Training includes standardized field sobriety testing techniques and how to recognize drug impairment.
· Enforcement activities are conducted at all times of day. Statistics do indicate that most impaired driving occurs at night and the early morning hours (between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.). However by conducting enforcement activities at all hours of the day, police have arrested more parents driving impaired with their children in the vehicles.
· Prosecution by District Attorney Janet DiFiore has kept pace with efforts of the police. Ninety-four percent of drivers arrested for driving impaired are convicted -- with almost half of these convicted of the original charges, not a lesser offense.