Program Objective
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 purpose of empowering the coordinating local efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related traffic crashes within the context of a comprehensive and financially self-sustaining statewide alcohol and highway safety program.

Funding
The STOP - DWI legislation permits each of the state's counties to establish a county STOP - DWI program that qualifies the county for the return of all fines collected for alcohol and other drug related traffic offenses occurring in its jurisdiction. This basically means that no tax dollars are used to fund this program. It is funded by fines collected from violators.

Schuyler County Program
The Schuyler County STOP - DWI program supports traffic safety programs for the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office and Watkins Glen Police Department by providing funding for overtime, equipment, and training, and providing public relations services concerning alcohol and drug-related offenses.

Funding is also provided to the Schuyler County District Attorney’s Office for prosecuting these offenses and to the Finger Lakes Addictions and Counseling Referral Agency (FLACRA) for treatment services.

Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Each year, the Schuyler County STOP - DWI program staffs a booth at the Finger Lakes Wine Festival providing information and performing field screening tests to ensure that all persons in attendance have a safe and enjoyable weekend. A courtesy sobriety checkpoint is also set up at the main gate to Watkins Glen International during this event to screen all drivers before they leave the facility. If found to be intoxicated the driver has the option of waiting in a supervised area until they are sober, calling for a ride, or simply letting another sober driver take over.