Monday, April 21, 2008 

Michael S. Colangelo

736-8943

Picente: Oneida County Traffic Safety Fair
To be Held April 22^nd, 23^rd at SUNYIT

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. today announced that the Oneida County STOP-DWI Program will be hosting its annual Teen Traffic Safety Event at SUNY Institute of Technology in Marcy on Tuesday, April 22^nd and Wednesday, April 23^rd.  

             “This educational program stresses the dangers of impaired and aggressive driving at the time of year where we see a marked increase of fatal crashes involving our youth,” Picente said. “We know that summer means a lot of young drivers will be heading off to proms, balls and graduations. We want them to drive safely so that we can avoid needless tragedies.”

            Picente said activities at the event will also focus on distracted driving – a major cause of young drivers’ accidents. “Talking on cell phones, texting on cell phones, these are such a part of the lives of these students that they forget how quickly a distraction from a phone can turn into a tragedy,” Picente said.

            STOP DWI Coordinator Michael Colangelo noted: “Historically, this is the deadliest time of year for young drivers.  Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 - 20 year olds (based on 2004 figures, which are the latest mortality data currently available from the National Center for Health Statistics).  In 2006, 3490 15- 20 year old drivers were killed, and an additional 272,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.”

            This year’s event will include a DWI simulator that utilizes a real stationary car the students will be able to "drive", along with a traffic safety multi-media show that is broadcast on a huge screen. Oneida County ’s STOP DWI Program has also secured the State Police "roll-over simulator" and "seat belt convincer". 

 Picente thanked Utica National Insurance for its role as a major sponsor, and all of the local law enforcement agencies that will be represented at the event.