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County Executive

News & Press Release

Putnam County Youth Bureau Expands Teen Driving Court

31 March 2023

Carmel NY – Earlier this year, the Putnam County Youth Bureau announced the expansion of the Putnam County Teen Driving Court, a diversion program targeting ticketed youth drivers, to the Town of Philipstown.

Teen Driving Court is an extension of the Putnam County Youth Court program, simulating a courtroom experience and educating young drivers who have recently received a traffic violation. An agreement with Philipstown Justice Court will allow these ticketed drivers the opportunity to address their behavior before a courtroom of their peers and be assigned specific restorative recommendations to make amends for their actions.

“This is an incredibly valuable program that I’m excited we’ve been able to expand to Phillipstown,” said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. “I’m grateful to our partners in Phillipstown for agreeing to join this innovative program and hope the individuals who go through the program gain valuable insight into the consequences of their actions.”

“Successful program completion may significantly reduce or dismiss the traffic violation for the teen, but the true aim is early intervention,” said Janeen Cunningham, Executive Director of the Putnam County Youth Bureau. “If young drivers can receive further education after making a mistake and positively interact with the justice system, they will be less likely to re-offend, improving the safety of our community for everyone. Increased training for young drivers will have an immediate benefit and a continued impact as they become adults in the community.”

Crashes are still a leading cause of death and nonfatal injury among adolescents. About eight teens aged 13 to 19 die every day in motor vehicle crashes, and hundreds more are injured, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, teen drivers engaging in one transportation risk behavior were more likely to engage in other risky driving behaviors, including impaired driving.

Putnam County Teen Driving Court can hear non-moving and moving violations. Cases will be drawn from the Towns of Carmel, Kent, and now Philipstown, with plans to expand to other municipalities within Putnam County. To be eligible, the driver must be at least 16 years of age and haven’t previously participated in Teen Driving Court. The individual justice courts dictate the maximum age for participation.

Teen Driving Court is a piece of the Putnam County Youth Bureau’s comprehensive highway safety program trying to make Putnam County a better place for all residents.

For more information, please contact the Putnam County Youth Bureau at:

(845) 808-1600 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

 

 

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40 Gleneida Avenue
Carmel, New York 10512

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