Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, formed in 1967 by a combination of law and executive orders, develops and supports the State's highway safety program to ensure safe transportation of people and goods on New York's roadways. GTSC serves as New York State's official liaison to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the two primary sources of funding for traffic safety programs. The GTSC works closely with a network of state and local agencies, law enforcement, non-profit organizations and private sector partners to deliver traffic safety information, resources and programs across New York State.

New York State Association of Traffic Safety Boards

The New York State Association of Traffic Safety Boards was formed in 1967 as a statewide support organization for county traffic safety boards and agencies, companies, or individuals having an interest in traffic safety and injury prevention. NYSATSB is organized into eight Regions across New York State, each with a Regional Vice President who serves as a liaison between traffic safety partners and the Association. The Association coordinates grant funding information, proposes traffic safety legislation, and offers traffic safety resources and education programs.

New York State STOP-DWI Coordinators Association

The New York State STOP-DWI Coordinators Association was formed in 1982. The Association is made up of STOP-DWI Coordinators and staff from each of the counties in New York State. The STOP-DWI Coordinators are responsible for the administration of local plans to combat impaired driving in their respective communities. Collectively, the NYS STOP-DWI Coordinators Association facilitates the exchange of ideas and information regarding impaired driving. The Association continues to foster new and innovative approaches for dealing with the impaired driver. These initiatives are developed in the areas of enforcement, prosecution/adjudication, probation rehabilitation/treatment, victims' services, training and public information and education.

A Highway Safety Resource Room will be open for highway safety educators, programmers and enforcement to demonstrate, or provide samples of PI&E materials, videos, PowerPoint presentations, program models, vendor deals and more. All programs are welcome to come to this "Resource Swap," bring what you know works, and come to glean from others what they have found effective for our common cause. This area will be manned during breaks and kept locked at other times.

If you have resources to share, or would like more information, please contact:

Patrick Carroll - phone & fax 518-382-8224; email taskforce45@hotmail.com 

or

Thomas Meier - phone 914-995-4115; fax 914-995-3894; email tam7@westchestergov.com 

 

 

NEW YORK HIGHWAY SAFETY CONFERENCE

FALL 2004

"Bridging the Gap - Reaching Goals to Save Lives"

 

PRESENTATIONS / PANELS / TRAINING / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SUNDAY October 17

2:00 - 5:00 Conference Registration MAIN LOBBY
6:00 - 8:00 Reception GRAND BALLROOM

MONDAY October 18

7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast Buffet GRAND BALLROOM
8:00 - 2:00 Registration MAIN LOBBY
9:00 - 10:00 Planning Successful Traffic Safety Education Campaigns ENDICOTT
 

This presentation focuses on injury and crash prevention and will give examples of innovative, fun, successful and less-than-successful strategies and campaigns. The goals, objectives, strategies, revisions and evaluations of sample campaigns will be reported. Participants will be asked to identify one piece of information they want to get across to a specific sector of the public, and will leave with at least a draft of how to start a campaign built around the selected information.

Moderator: ED VANDEMARK Tioga County STOP-DWI Coordinator

Presenter: KATH BUFFINGTON Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, Allegany County

NOTE: A four-hour Emergency Driving Simulator Training session is offered Monday and Tuesday at the Broome County Police Academy and is open to all conference registrants (see Police Training Registration page for details). Pre-registration is required using the police training registration form in the back of this packet.
9:00 - 10:00 Developing an Improved Curriculum for DDP JOHNSON
 

This presentation will explain how interested parties may participate in the DDP curriculum development process now being planned by DMV and provide a forum to gather and focus the ideas and opinions of highway safety professionals on this topic. The DMV is responsible for regulating the operation of the Drinking Driver Program in NYS, including the content and presentation of the curriculum used in the 16- hour classroom course. While the core of the course is still sound, the curriculum needs to be updated to deal with changes in the student population, the environment, and in teaching methods ovet the years. DMV has proposed a regulatory change allowing an increase in the DDP enrollment fee collected by the program, and part of that fee could be used to fund curriculum development services and student workbook production.

Moderator:  MICHELE JAMES St. Lawrence County Special Program Coordinator

Presenters:  BARBARA ASKHAM Director; NYS DMV Driver Program Regulation
MARY JANE McGUIRE Assistant Director for Liaison Services, DMV Driver Program Regulation

9:00 - 10:00 Exploring the Basic Motorcycle Rider Course LINK
 

The Motorcycle Association of New York State (MANYS) will give a preview to the Basic Rider Course and demonstrate how novice riders are prepared to face the risks of motorcycling.

Moderator:  WILLIAM PAUTLER Program Manager, Motorcycle Safety Program, NYS Department of Motor Vehicles, Motorcycle Safety Foundation RiderCoach

Presenter:  MICHAEL MELIS President/CEO, MANYS/MSF RiderCoach Trainer

10:00 - 10:15 Vendor Showcase / Resource Room / Break GRAND BALLROOM
PROMENADE
10:15 - 11:45 Partners in Prevention ENDICOTT
 

The first half of this session will engage participants in designing a plan for building coalitions with students, faculty, staff, other colleges and universities, law enforcement agencies, local neighborhood associations, government officials, tavern owners, and other community members to achieve lasting campus culture change. The last half presents two successive interactive programs currently used in the middle and high schools in Westchester County. PRO-LAW focuses on all types of criminal conduct and the legal consequences; and CLEAR CHOICES is a middle school drug/alcohol and violence prevention program with a strong emphasis on accountability.

Moderator:  RENEE BARCHITTA Highway Safety Representative, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

Presenters:  TROOPER JACK KELLER New York State Police
LAURA M. MADELONE Director; Off-Campus Student Services, Syracuse University
BRUCE EDWARD KELLY Assistant District Attorney, Westchester County

10:15 - 11:45 A Fair Alternative JOHNSON
 

Every spring the Niagara County STOP-DWI Program presents a fair at the Niagara Falls Air Base to local high school seniors at prom time. This day long event on the intoxicated driver is attended by over 2500 students in seven school days.

Moderator:  JOHN SULLIVAN Erie County STOP-DWI Coordinator

Presenters:  CAPTAIN ANTHONY BERAK Niagara County STOP-DWI Program
SERGEANT PATRICK NEEDLE Niagara County STOP-DWI Program

10:15 - 11:45 A Balanced Approach to Dealing with the Repeat Drunk Driver LINK
 

The balanced approach covers prevention, intervention, control strategies. Probation DWI Units include offense-specific caseloads, supervision and enforcement. Supervision entails collection of fines, mandatory treatment, use of victim panels and self-help participation. Also discussed are areas of enforcement, arrest for speedy court intervention and specialized training for probation officers with special duties.

Moderator:  WILLIAM BURKHARD Lewis County STOP-DW1 Coordinator

Presenters:  BOB WATSON, SHERYL DAY, TERRENCE GORMAN, ROBERT GRADY, and JOE RINALDI Westchester County Probation Officers

12:00 - 1:15 Opening Luncheon & Chairman's Awards GRAND BALLROOM
  Binghamton Welcome: JEFFREY P. KRAHAM Broome County Executive
Conference Welcome: RAYMOND P. MARTINEZ Commissioner, NYSDMV and Chairman, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
1:30 - 2:30 DWI Adjudication Trends ENDICOTT
 

Recent legislative changes in New York have provided an unprecedented opportunity to examine the effects of specific repeat offender penalties on recidivist drunk driving. The primary elements of the new repeat offender legislation require that drivers convicted of a second DWI conviction within five years be subject to stiffer penalties, including jail time, community service, and ignition interlock. The presentation will discuss whether this new legislation and the use of new, more severe penalties works in New York to reduce recidivist drunk driving, and if not, why not and what can be done differently.

The Erie Co. STOP-DWI Coordinator collects information from both the enforcement agencies and courts on a yearly basis to determine revenue sharing for DWI fines. This information consists of trends in arrests, looking at gender, age, BAC, breath/chemical test refusals, prior offenses, initial charges, and other charges at the point of arrest. By linking the arrest data with the court data, rates of convictions, rates of reduced charges, time between arrest and case disposition, sanctions being used, and DWI recidivism can be determined.

Moderator:  JOHN SULLIVAN Erie County STOP-DW1 Coordinator

Presenters:  KEN CARPENTER Executive Director, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
RODERICK MacDONALD Mindwalk Consulting
TOM NOCHAJSKI and D. LYNN HOMISH Research Institute on Addictions

1:30 - 2:30 Rodeos on a Budget JOHNSON
 

This presentation will cover both bicycle and pedestrian rodeos. A successful pedestrian/bike bumper sticker contest among Warren County fifth-grade students will be shared.

Moderator:  JENNIFER D. HOGAN Highway Safety Representative, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

Presenters:  WILLIAM VAN ALSTYNE Albany County DPW Traffic Safety Education
KATHRYN VARNEY Project Coordinator, Warren-Washington County Healthy Heart Program

1:30 - 2:30 Media Literacy LINK
 

This presentation will provide participants with an interactive opportunity to view media clips for alcohol products, analyze the marketing techniques used and discuss the impact those techniques have on youth. Tools to implement an Underage Drinking Prevention Media Campaign consistent with other communities across the state will be shared.

Moderator:  MOLLY LaMORA Clinton County STOP-DW1 Coordinator

Presenter:  BETH MATTFELD Coordinator of Underage Drinking Prevention, NYS OASAS

2:30 - 3:00 Vendor Showcase / Resource Room / Break GRAND BALLROOM
PROMENADE
3:00 - 4:30 Drug Courts ENDICOTT
 

How can the drug court system respond to the DWI offender in New York State? Learn about the drug court model and the successes and concerns that face New York in the fight against impaired driving.

Moderator:  DENISE CASHMERE Chairman, New York State STOP-DW1

Presenters:  C. WEST HUDDLESTON, III Director; National Drug Court Institute
GERALD F. MOLLEN Broome County District Attorney
MICHAEL C. EIDENS Schenectady County Court Judge

3:00 - 4:30 Engineering Roadway Safety JOHNSON
 

State and local transportation officials are constantly looking for better ways to design highways and partner with safety groups to promote safer use of our transportation facilities. Only a comprehensive, integrated approach will produce designs and programs which will contribute toward reducing accidents and their severity. As our roadways become more congested, non-motoring and motoring travelers must increasingly share limited roadway space. Engineers and other members of the safety community are working together to design and create a safer environment in multiple-use local and state roads, work zones, and limited access highways. This session will discuss how New York is addressing the major challenge of reducing pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist exposure to hazardous roadway situations.

Moderator:  PATRICK S. CARROLL Traffic Safety Coordinator, Rotterdam Police Department

Presenters:  BARBARA O'ROURKE NYS Department of Transportation
ERIC OPHARDT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager, NYS DOT

3:00 - 4:30 Canada's Impaired Driving Laws LINK
 

The Canada Safety Council is Canada's leading national not-for-profit organization dedicated to public safety. It is a source for reliable safety information, education and awareness. In the face of conflicting interests or emotionally charged issues, it provides an objective voice for safety. Their priority issues include all aspects of traffic safety and child safety. Programs and initiatives are in place to address these issues, including the national Elmer the Safety Elephant child safety program.

Moderator:  MICHELE JAMES St. Lawrence County Special Programs Coordinator

Presenter:  EMILE J. THERIEN President, Canada Safety Council

3:00 - 5:00 Meeting Defenses SOUTH RIVERSIDE
 

This session will focus on how to overcome impaired driving defenses and will include attacks on the stop and arrest, as well as legal and scientific challenges to field sobriety tests, breath test instruments and BAC results. Commonly encountered alternative explanations for the officer's observations and for the BAC results will also be explored.

Moderator:  RICHARD DEVLIN Highway Safety Representative and State DRE Coordinator, GTSC

Presenters:  JOSEPH McCORMACK Deputy Chief, Criminal Court Bureau, Bronx County
MAUREEN McCORMACK Executive Assistant District Attorney, Kings County
DOUGLAS PAQUETTE Technical Sergeant, NYSP

4:45 - 5:45 NYS Association of Traffic Safety Boards Meeting WATSON
6:00 - 8:00 Dinner Buffet GRAND BALLROOM

 

TUESDAY October 19

7:30 - 9:00 Breakfast Buffet GRAND BALLROOM
8:00 - 2:00 Registration MAIN LOBBY
9:00 - 10:00 DWI in the Year 2004 ENDICOTT
 

This session will focus on elements of proof for DWI and DWAI cases.  Special emphasis will be placed on the change to .08 and its effect on the prosecution of DWI and DWAI.

Moderator:  RICHARD DEVLIN Highway Safety Representative and State DRE Coordinator, GTSC

Presenters:  JOHN MANEY Attorney, New York Prosecutors Training Institute
JOSEPH McCORMACK Deputy Chief, Criminal Court Bureau, Bronx County

9:00 - 10:00 Backseat Bullets JOHNSON
 

Unbelted passengers become "backseat bullets" during collision.  The University of Buffalo crash tests using dummies show how force crushes the front driver.

Moderator:  DEBRA H. ROOD Director, Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research
Presenter:  DIETRICH JEHLE, MD Erie County Medical Center & Director of Center for Transportation Injury Research

9:00 - 10:00 Safe Crossings for Life LINK
 

This session will focus on preparing our youth for life-long encounters with intersections.

Moderator:  JENNIFER D. HOGAN Highway Safety Representative, GTSC

Presenter:  ANTHONY MOESER Western New York Red Light Running Foundation

10:00 - 10:15 Vendor Showcase / Resource Room / Break GRAND BALLROOM
PROMENADE
10:15 - 11:45 Tricks of the Trade ENDICOTT
 

This session will explore methods and formats that anyone can use in designing structured learning experiences for adults and children.  The use of lecture, small and large group activities and games in non-traditional and experiential learning environments will be covered.  Participants will engage in activities that can be adapted to their alcohol, aggressive driving, youth and child passenger education programs.

Presenter:  PAMELA WANNING Director, Health & Safety Institute, Ulster County Community College

10:15 - 11:45 Worlds Apart JOHNSON
 

This session will cover practical road safety topics for senior schools, colleges, universities, service organizations and special interest groups in the USA and worldwide.

Moderator:  MOLLY LaMORA Clinton County STOP-DW1 Coordinator

Presenter:  EDDIE WREN Executive Director, Drive & Stay Alive, Inc.

10:15 - 11:45 HOT Topics SOUTH RIVERSIDE
 

An interactive discussion forum. Each table in the room is assigned a different topic for discussion. A facilitator will lead each discussion group. Facilitators will briefly introduce the topic and present pertinent information prior to the beginning of each discussion group. Each discussion group will last 20 minutes. Time will be kept to allow attendees the opportunity to participate in as many as four different groups during the allotted time. Most of the topics are related to workshop programs that will be offered during the conference. The topics include:

Moderator:  PEGGY DUFFY Monroe Counny STOP-DWI Coordinator

  • STOPPED Program Kevin E. Walsh, Onondaga County Sheriff
  • Extreme Motorcycle Street Riding Brad Swartz, Governor's Traffic Safety Committee
  • Impact of Drowsy Driving Vincent Bellino, FLI Learning Systems
  • Loud Stereo and Vehicle Noise Enforcement Sgt. James T. Farrell Suffolk County Highway Patrol
  • Taxi and Working Cyclist Safety in NYC Noah Budnick, Tranportation Alternatives
  • Permanent Advertising Ed VanDeMark, Tioga County STOP-DWI Coordinator
12:00 - 1:15 Luncheon
STOP-DWI Association Luncheon Meeting
GRAND BALLROOM
1:30 - 2:30 It's Like Riding a Bike... ENDICOTT
 

In the first half of this session, you will learn bicycling tips you can use whether you're getting back on a bike or working with youth. Topics to be covered include basic bike handling skills (which are the same for people of all ages), organizing a bike rodeo, tips on working with kids, an overview of the crash data, and FAQs about bike helmets. The second half will show interested safety, police and health contacts how to conduct a school assembly bicycle program for grades K-3 to keep them out of the road, and for grades 4-8 to make them mindful that they are drivers when entering the roadway.

Moderator:  JESSE DAY Executive Director, New York Bicycling Coalition

Presenters:  LOIS CHAPLIN Bicycle Safety Specialist, Cornell University
FRANK NILAND Traffic Safety Specialist, AAA New York State

1:30 - 2:30 TRAFFICSTAT JOHNSON
 

TRAFFICSAT was started in 1998 and modeled on the very successful NYPD COMPSTAT program. It takes the four basic steps to crime reduction: accurate & timely intelligence, effective tactics, rapid deployment, relentless follow-up and assessment, and applies them to traffic safety.

Moderator:  RICHARD DEVLIN Highway Safety Representative and State DRE Coordinator, GTSC

Presenter:  EDWARD T. CANNON Deputy Chief, New York Police Department

1:30 - 2:30 What Is Your Program Worth? WATSON
 

This presentation will focus on four methods of evaluating community-based programs. These include formative, process, impact and outcome measure. Examples of program evaluation tools and strategies will be shared with the group. The format will be interactive with participants using fill-in-the-blank type worksheets.

Presenter:  SUSAN HARDMAN Director, Bureau of Injury Prevention, NYS DOH

2:30 - 3:00 Vendor Showcase / Resource Room / Break GRAND BALLROOM
PROMENADE
3:00 - 4:00 DWI Fines Collections LINK
 

In this hands-on workshop you will learn how to research and recover fines that have been levied and not collected. The Chemung County STOP-DWl Program has developed and implemented a successful model utilizing letters and warrant details.

Presenter:  ANDREW A. SMITH Chemung County STOP-DW1 Coordinator

3:00 - 4:30 Off the Beaten Path JOHNSON
 

This presentation will address horse-drawn vehicle crashes and loose horses in roadways and other rural transportation issues.

Moderator:  KATH BUFFINGTON Traffic Safety Program Coordinator, Allegany County

Presenters:  DRUSILLA MALAVASE Ontario County STOP-DWI Coordinator
MICHAEL AMATO Montgomery County Sheriff
JOHN STEVENSON Montgomery County Deputy Sheriff

3:00 - 4:30 Engineering Calming Traffic ENDICOTT
 

A three-year traffic calming engineering training effort for state transportation professionals and local officials will be summarized along with some basic traffic calming concepts and methods from NYSDOT's Ped/Bike Program.

The NYS DOT Region 10 office on Long Island has applied Federal STP Safety Funds to enhance local communities by increasing safety of bicycling and/or walking; reducing vehicle speeds through school zones, transit centers, and residential corridors, and diverting inappropriate cut-thru traffic from local streets. County/state traffic safety professionals who are interested in improving the quality of life for residents in their communities are encouraged to attend this session and learn how they might establish their own program

Additionally, attendees will learn some tools and techniques to enhance safety of intersections for little cost. Deficiencies in operation and design of intersections and appropriate countermeasures will be explored.

Moderator:  EMMETT McDEVITT Transportation Safety Engineer, Federal Highway Administration

Presenters:  JAMES ERCOLANO Pedestrian Specialist, NYSDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Program
DAVID GLASS Program Manager, NYS DOT
JIM MEARKLE Traffic Engineer, Albany County Department of Public Works

3:00 - 5:00 Prosecuting the Drugged Driver SOUTH RIVERSIDE
 

This session will focus on issues that are unique to the prosecution of drugged driving cases. It will explore the differences with respect to proof between DWAI-drug cases and alcohol related DWI and DWAI cases. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of the Drug Recognition Expert and toxicology issues.

Moderator:  RICHARD DEVLIN Highway Safety Representative and State DRE Coordinator, GTSC

Presenter:  JOSEPH McCORMACK Deputy Chief, Criminal Court Bureau, Bronx County 
MAUREEN McCORMACK Executive Assistant District Attorney, Kings County
DOUGLAS PAQUETTE Technical Sergeant, New York State Police

4:45 - 5:45 NYS DDP Director's Meeting WATSON
6:00 - 7:00 Reception GRAND BALLROOM
7:00 - 9:00 Awards Banquet GRAND BALLROOM

WEDNESDAY October 20

7:30 - 8:45 Breakfast GRAND BALLROOM
9:00 - 10:30 HALFWAY THERE GRAND BALLROOM
 

Periwinkle National Theatre of New York City Presents "HALFWAY THERE" an award-winning drug/alcohol prevention drama for Middle and High School Students and treatment centers.

Powerful! Riveting! Seen by over a million!
Honored by the Executive Office of the President

10:30 Grand Prize Drawing and Many Other Prize Giveaways - Winners Must Be Present

 

Conference and Registration Information | Events Calendar