ALBANY, NY (WENY)-- A NEW LAW IN NEW YORK WILL DIRECT TWO PAYMENTS OF IMPAIRED DRIVING CONVICTIONS TO RELEVANT COUNTY’S SPECIAL TRAFFIC OPTIONS FOR DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED OR STOP-DWI PROGRAMS.  

CURRENTLY IN THE STATE, THERE ARE TWO MANDATORY FINES FOR IMPAIRED DRIVING CONVICTIONS THAT GO TO A GENERAL STATE FUND. THIS NEW law WILL RE-DIRECT THE MONEY FROM THESE OFFENSES TO STOP-DWI PROGRAMS.  

“Visibility is what’s important—the public at large constantly seeing that STOP-DWI message, that’s what's really important here and this message goes a long way towards directing some very essential funding to the communities,” said Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties.

ACQUARIO SAid MORE FUNDING FOR STOP-DWI PROGRAMS WILL GO A LONG WAY TO REDUCING IMPAIRED DRIVING INCIDENTS.  

“We will in fact be saving lives. This legislation will provide millions of additional dollars out into the counties all around the state and that’s really a good thing,” he said.

But the impact doesn't stop here--ACQUARIO SAID HE HOPES TO SEE MORE STATE DOLLARS IN NEXT YEARS BUDGET GO TO PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES.