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NYS
Department of Motor Vehicles
Highlighting State and National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 11, the New York Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety today held a conference about child safety practices in all modes of transportation. "This 'Moving Kids Safely' conference brings together a diverse group of transportation experts from across the country dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children," said NHTSA Region II Administrator Thomas Louizou. "We encourage participants to use the conference as an opportunity to share innovative program strategies and develop creative solutions to our nation's transportation challenges." In New York State, where the conference was held, Governor George E. Pataki has proposed legislation to increase penalties for aggressive driving and lower the State's legal blood-alcohol limit to .08 from .10. Both measures are expected to reduce highway deaths and fatalities. New York also recently expanded several successful child safety transportation programs in an effort to increase public awareness of child safety techniques and reduce transportation-related injuries. "Last year was the safest year on New York roads and highways since World War II," Governor Pataki said. "But we must continue to improve that record with traffic safety initiatives that raise public awareness and protect travelers throughout New York State, particularly our children." New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Richard E. Jackson, Jr., who chairs the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, said, "Under Governor Pataki's leadership, New York State supports a variety of community-based programs that teach young New Yorkers and their parents how to travel in ways that are enjoyable and safe. These programs are an important way to protect our children and help safeguard our State's future." Jackson last month announced that the Safe Summer program, which has been operated in the Capital region for two years, will be expanded statewide this summer. Through partnerships with local businesses, the program enables police officers to reward children with tickets for french fries or ice cream if they are wearing helmets while bicycling or skating. Those without helmets are given coupons for discounted helmet purchases. Last fall, New York's Operation Safe Stop program was expanded statewide to increase public education and law enforcement efforts aimed at reducing the number of motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses. In just one day last year, the program resulted in police writing 1,588 traffic tickets for motorists illegally passing stopped school buses. Police also issued nearly 1,000 other traffic citations during that crackdown. "Our children are the most vulnerable, yet precious, members of our communities. They are New York's future. We in law enforcement are committed to protecting that resource, whether it be through school bus safety, child safety seats and seat belts, or bicycle helmets. There's just too much at stake," said Colonel David Christler of the New York State Police. Rear Admiral Richard M. Larrabee of the U.S. Coast Guard said, "We know that when a community takes ownership of a program -- be it traffic safety, boating safety, aviation safety, or otherwise -- change happens. As you know, this administration has placed children and family first -- putting a top priority on meeting today's challenge of raising good kids in a strong family environment in Safe Communities." Nationally, transportation-related crashes are the leading cause of death among children, killing more than 3,200 children annually. More than 413,000 children -- about one of every 148 -- are injured each year, 200,0000 are hospitalized and more than 30,000 are permanently disabled in transportation crashes. Today's day-long conference, called "Moving Kids Safely: Strengthening Safe Communities," brought together professionals from government, health, law, education and the transportation industry to discuss safe ways to transport children in motor vehicles, planes, boats and trains and on bicycles and skates. The conference, held at The Desmond in Colonie, Albany County, was one of ten held across the nation this week. http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/movkid98.htm -- Revised:
December 28, 2000
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