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WILLIAM C. COXUNDERSHERIFF

PAUL M. COURCELLE

CHIEF DEPUTY

CRAIG D. APPLE SR.

SHERIFF

MATTHEW J. CAMPBELL

CHIEF DEPUTY

ALBANY COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICECOUNTY COURT HOUSE ALBANY, NEW YORK 12207 (518) 487-5400 FAX: (518) 487-5037

WWW.ALBANYCOUNTYSHERIFF.COM

Press Release February 01, 2013

Albany County STOP-DWI Launches the Alive At 25 Program

In 2011, Albany County Sheriff Craig D. Apple Sr. and STOP-DWI Administrator Lt. Kerry B. Thompson began

working on the implementation of a traffic safety initiative in Albany County structured around young drivers

between the ages of 15-24, which is statistically, the group most likely to be involved in fatal traffic collisions.

The conception behind the program was to educate those young drivers who had already received a traffic

ticket and might be in need of a refresher on safe driving practices. The course is offered only to young drivers,

in an effort to help prevent traffic violations, traffic collisions, and/or fatalities. The curriculum places an

emphasis on educating young drivers to adopt safer driving practices, take responsibility for their behavior in

various driving situations, and to be aware of many of the typical driving hazards. Unlike traditional drivers

education courses that focus on the mechanics of driving, the Alive At 25 Program addresses the behaviors

specific to young drivers.

The pilot program kicked off in 2012, with select courts joining forces with the Albany STOP-DWI Program by

agreeing to mandate young violators to take the course as a sentencing option. The courts that have been

utilizing the National Safety Council Alive At 25 Program are the City of Cohoes, Town of Coeymans, Village ofRavena, Town of New Scotland and the Village of Voorheesville. Most recently, in 2013, the City of Albany

came on board and began sentencing offenders to take the program as well.

In 2012, 230 individuals were sentenced by Albany County courts and participated in the class. Of those, 213

were successful and were not involved in another driving incident. There unfortunately were 9 individuals that

received another traffic ticket and 8 that were involved in an automobile crash. The idea is to change the

culture and address poor driving habits early on before something bad happens. These young drivers have to

deal with so many distractions, Cell phones, Texting, and alcohol are all components of our program Sheriff

Apple said.

Although this is a court mandated program in many Albany County Traffic Courts, anyone who would like to

take the course can certainly do so. The four hour program is limited to 30 students per class, and is offered onvarious dates depending on the need. If you are a young adult who is interested in improving your defensive

driving skills, please contact the Albany County STOP-DWI Program at 518-720-8100. The cost of the course is

$40.00.