STOP-DWI Program

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 alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes within the context of a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining alcohol and highway safety program.

STOP-DWI funding is limited to enhancement programs that reduce the incidence of drunk driving and is supported entirely by the fines paid by people convicted of driving while intoxicated. Application of DWI fine revenues and fund balance covers the fiscal year program expenses at no cost to local taxpayers.

Victim Impact Panel (VIP)

Currently, Seneca County is offering VIP as an online option only. Participation involves watching several videos, reading a few articles, and answering some questions. Defendants may complete their court-ordered VIP requirement in one of three ways:

Online Option #1 – if you have access to a computer (desktop or laptop) and the internet you can take the course online from home. A tablet or a smartphone will not work for this.

Online Option #2 – check with a local library to see if they have computers available for public use.

Online Option #3 – contact us to make an individual appointment to take the course in our office at 1 DiPronio Drive, Waterloo, NY 13165. See contact info in Step 1 below.

If not making an appointment to take the course in our office, follow these steps:

STEP 1

YOU WILL NEED TO OBTAIN A “VIP PACKET” in one of two ways:

Pick up a packet in the County Office Building 1st floor lobby during business hours
Or ask us to mail you a packet:
- email Cindy: cryan@co.seneca.ny.us
- call: 315-539-1755 (M-Th, 8:30a-1:30p) – leave clear message if after hours.

STEP 2

WATCH THE VIDEOS, READ THE ARTICLES, AND ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS

The packet you will obtain has a series of questions for you to answer based on watching some videos and reading several articles. Plan on it taking about 2 hours to complete the program.

STEP 3

RETURN YOUR “VIP PACKET” ALONG WITH $20.00 [cash or money order only]

Put your signed, completed paperwork in an envelope, including $20.00 [cash or money order only]
Return your envelope to us in one of three ways:
- In person during regular business hours at the Seneca County Office Building
- If after hours, use the DROP BOX located on wall outside main doors near DMV entrance
- US Mail: STOP-DWI, 1 DiPronio Drive, Waterloo, NY 13165
  - If using US Mail we do not recommend mailing cash

If the STOP-DWI Coordinator is satisfied with your answers [one or two-word answers are not acceptable, except where appropriate] notification will be sent to the court that ordered your participation stating that you have fulfilled the VIP requirement.

Officer of the Year

All Seneca County Law Enforcement Agencies work together to help keep our roadways safe from impaired drivers. Each year we applaud those efforts by awarding the top DWI-arresting officer in each agency with recognition.

Driving Simulator

Seneca County STOP-DWI has invested thousands of dollars in the purchase of a driving simulator and trailer transport so that participants can have a virtual experience of drunk/impaired driving and receive education on its dangers.

Our simulator can be programmed to simulate delay in the driver’s decision making, muscular control, and perception reaction time (PRT). Various blood alcohol content (BAC) levels can be selected and they can choose between different driving scenarios for a more comprehensive experience.

Each driving scenario is designed to include various visual effects and vehicle dynamics simulations of drunk driving. Through these contents, the simulation participant can indirectly experience the physical and physiological changes that occur in the human body during drunk driving.

Local agencies are able to borrow the simulator for use at their local events.

We are proud to partner with Seneca County’s Substance Abuse Coalition of United Way who has used the simulator all over Seneca County reaching students, in particular, most recently in their county-wide student outreach “Don’t Be A ‘D’ Student”. We also contributed financially to sponsor this annual event.