Mission
Background
Objectives
Components of VASAP
Benefits of Programs
Contact
Directions
To improve highway safety by
decreasing the incidence of driving under the influence of
alcohol and other drugs, leading to the reduction of alcohol
and drug-related fatalities and crashes.
The Virginia Alcohol Safety
Action Program traces its roots to Fairfax County. In 1972, it
became the site of one of 35 national "Alcohol Safety
Action Projects" funded by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA). On March 24, 1975, legislation
passed by the General Assembly expanded the program
statewide establishing driver education programs and alcohol
education and rehabilitation programs in an effort to reduce
the number of highway tragedies.
There are currently 24 Alcohol
Safety Action Programs throughout Virginia. They have the
responsibility of doing everything they can to lower the
number of drunk drivers on our roadways. Efforts have paid off
because the number of DUI deaths in Virginia continues to
decline each year.
In 1986, the General Assembly
formed the Commission of the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action
Program (Commission on VASAP). This legislation provided for the
standardization of ASAP operations, increasing the quality and
equity of services rendered to offenders statewide.
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- Deter the motoring public
from driving under the influence of alcohol and other
drugs.
- Deter those arrested and
convicted of driving under the influence from becoming
repeat offenders.
- Increase awareness to aid in
the identification, apprehension and conviction of
offenders driving under the influence of alcohol and other
drugs.
- Assist the state courts in
raising the conviction rate for offenders and the number
of appropriate referrals to Alcohol Safety Action
Programs.
- Ensure appropriate
probationary control of offenders.
- Ensure the delivery of
proper education and treatment services for offenders.
- Provide statewide offender
tracking services for all ASAP’s.
- Increase public awareness of
the civil and legal consequences of DUI arrests, public
perception of transportation crash risks and public
activities to reduce DUI incidents.
- Assess and maintain the
effectiveness and self-supporting status of both the
Commission and local Alcohol Safety Action Programs.
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The VASAP system is composed of
24 local programs strategically located throughout the
Commonwealth. Each operates in accordance with five component
target areas in compliance with VASAP’s mission of improving
highway safety and reducing drug-related incidents in
communities.
ENFORCEMENT
VASAP enhances law
enforcement efforts to reduce alcohol and other drug-related
crashes and incidents by providing training to detect and
apprehend those driving under the influence.
ADJUDICATION
VASAP, prosecutors and courts
work together to ensure the efficient processing of those
convicted of driving under the influence, other drug related
problems and referred to VASAP for probation.
CASE MANAGEMENT/OFFENDER
INTERVENTION
Each offender is handled by a
case manager who assesses the offender and determines the
most appropriate intervention, treatment, or probationary
services.
EVALUATION/CERTIFICATION
The Commission on VASAP is
responsible for periodically evaluating and recertifying
each ASAP ensuring that services in the communities are
effective, consistent and appropriate.
PUBLIC INFORMATION/EDUCATION
VASAP helps reduce the number
of drunk driving injuries and fatalities by increasing
public awareness through education, and by encouraging
responsible decision making. Each program conducts local
public information efforts with training and support from
the Commission.
VASAP PROGRAMS
VASAP has a variety of
programs designed to improve highway safety. These programs
provide the flexibility necessary for local Alcohol Safety
Action Programs to respond to the specific needs of each
locality and each individual.
- DUI Intervention Program
- Aggressive Driver Program
- Driving Suspended
Interviews
- Habitual Offender
Restoration Reviews
- Driver Improvement
- First Offender Drug
Program
- Young Offender Program
- Relapse Prevention
Education
- Adolescent Alcohol
Education
- Victim Impact Panel
- Community Correction
Services
- Community Diversion
Incentive Program
- Ignition Interlock Program
- Drug Testing/Urine
Screening
- Public Inebriate Program
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Direct Benefits to the
Commonwealth
- Education and treatment
provided to more than 40,000 offenders annually.
- Monitoring and probation
services for DUI, habitual offenders, and other drug
violators.
- Reduction in the space
needed to incarcerate offenders.
Other Benefits to the
Commonwealth
Lowers automobile insurance
rates.
By taking drunk drivers off
the streets, VASAP helps reduce the number of accidents,
lowering
insurance costs, thereby
reducing insurance rates.
Safer streets.
The Commonwealth’s streets
are safer as a result of taking intoxicated drivers off the
road.
Decreases crime.
86% of all crime are related
to alcohol and other drugs. Alcohol and other drug
involvement are the
greatest factor in motor
vehicle deaths and injuries, and is a factor in one-half of
all murders, accidental
deaths, suicides and other
crimes.
Fewer accidents.
Taking drunk drivers off the
streets reduces alcohol and drug-related crashes.
Lower health insurance rates.
Accidents cost money. VASAP
helps reduce accidents through education and public
awareness,
resulting in fewer medical
bills and lower premiums.
Lower taxes.
Police cost money. Jail cost
money. Courts cost money. VASAP raises awareness and
educates the public about
the risks of driving under the influence, thereby saving the
Commonwealth money that can
be used for schools, roads, or even tax breaks.
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Contact
COMMISSION ON VASAP
701 E. Franklin Street, Suite 1110
Richmond, VA 23219
(804)786-5895 *
www.vasap.state.va.us
PENINSULA ASAP
604 Morris Drive
Newport News, VA 23605
Telephone: (757) 896-6822
Fax: (757) 896-6828
Directions to Peninsula ASAP from
York County Court
- Traveling East on
Jefferson Avenue (143) from I-64:
Travel down Jefferson past J. Clyde Morris Boulevard for
about three miles, stay in the left lane and the street
before Mercury Boulevard is Morris Drive, make a left turn
(there is a Hess service station on the corner). The
second office building on the right is ASAP.
- Traveling West on
Jefferson Avenue (143) from downtown Newport: News:
-
Travel down Jefferson Avenue until you past Mercury
Boulevard and make a right at the first street, which is
Morris Drive (at the Hess service station on the
corner). The second office building on the right is
ASAP.
- Traveling West on Mercury
Boulevard from Hampton:
Traveling up Mercury Boulevard to Jefferson Avenue,
make a right turn on Jefferson. Make a right turn on
the first street, at the Hess service station, which is
Morris Drive and the second building on the right is the
ASAP office.
- Traveling East on Mercury
Boulevard from the James River Bridge area:
Travel down Mercury Boulevard, get in the left turning
lane after crossing the Warwick Boulevard overpass.
Make a left turn onto Jefferson (the first light) and make
a right at the first street, which is Morris Drive.
ASAP office is the second building on the right.
- Other Routes:
Warwick Boulevard, Big Bethel Road, and other streets
intersect with Jefferson.
Traveling on I-64, take the Big Bethel Road exit, make a
left on Big Bethel Road and travel about two miles to
Mercury Boulevard and turn right. Follow Mercury to
Jefferson and turn right on Jefferson. Make a right
at the first street which is Morris Drive.
Should further information be needed, please call.
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