Safe Driver Initiative: County Clerk and DA working together for safer roads & driver education

While DA Murphy works closely with many departments in Saratoga County government, such as the Sheriff's Department and the Board of Supervisors, there is one department head in charge of Motor Vehicles with whom he has worked collaboratively in order to help keep roadways safe and reduce the number of accidents on our roadways.  Saratoga County Clerk Kathleen A. Marchione, who oversees the county records, deeds, filings and court documents, is also responsible for the County Department of Motor Vehicles and oversees the testing, permitting and licensing of drivers.  County Clerk Marchione (pictured here) and DA Murphy have a concern for the safety of our roadways in common and have joined forces in an attempt to reduce fatalities and deter young drivers from acting irresponsibly.  Please visit County Clerk Marchione's web site by "clicking" on her photo for more information about the Saratoga County Clerk and her office. 

Each time a new driver and his or her parent or guardian appears at the Department of Motor Vehicle to obtain a new license, he or she receives from one of the DMV clerks a packet that County Clerk Marchione and DA Murphy have created.  This partnership, the first of its kind in New York State has received local, state and national acclaim.  The informative packet is meant to educate young or new drivers about some of the inherent dangers of driving, teach them the "rules of the road", and generate discussion between the new driver and the parent.  The packet contains a number of informative materials.  Some of the highlights include:

A letter from County Clerk Marchione and DA Murphy explaining why this partnership is important.  It stresses that the number one killer of teens is driving crashes, year after year. 

 

A form that parents simply fill out and submit to DMV to revoke their child's driver's license for  any reason; from failure to do homework, not following curfew guidelines, or driving too fast or recklessly, to receiving a vehicle and traffic ticket or not following a parents' instructions regarding driving behavior

 

A Contract for New Drivers (talking points regarding driving safety)

 

Information on the Drowsy Driver (make sure you are fully rested when driving)

 

The dangers of underage drinking (a teenager's brain reacts differently to alcohol than the adult brain, physiologically)

 

A packet on how to drive defensively  (keep a watchful eye out for the vehicle that acts out of the ordinary or unexpectedly)

 

Material from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Don't drive drunk; find a designated driver)

 

Material from Students Against Destructive Decisions (Peers giving advice to teens)

 

A table which explains "How much does a DWI cost?"  (insurance rates can triple, along with many other unexpected costs)

 

The DA and County Clerk offer this one of a kind program in Saratoga County and so far, DMV has passed out nearly 30,000 packets since the program began.  DA Murphy and County Clerk Marchione believe that by working together they can better educate new drivers about how to drive responsibly.  In fact, together they hope to prevent motor vehicle crashes from ever occurring and perhaps save someone's life. 

Thank you for reading this important information.  If you or a friend are interested in obtaining a packet you can contact your local DMV office, visit County Clerk Marchione's web site or contact the DA by "clicking" on the yellow button on the left side of this page entitled "Contact the DA". 

         Thank you and drive safely!