State Urges Residents To "Play It Safe" This Summer

Governor George E. Pataki’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today launched a statewide "Play It Safe This Summer" safety education campaign, urging extra caution for motorists and pedestrians to enjoy a safe and healthy summer.

Featuring the theme "Drive Right," the wide-ranging campaign covers numerous aspects of traffic safety: alcohol awareness; pedestrian, bicycle and roller blade safety; seat belts and child passenger safety; motorist awareness of motorcycles; and the need for extra caution near ice cream trucks and frozen dessert vehicles.

"All of these activities embrace the common theme of summertime fun and are highlighted in our campaign message," said Commissioner Richard E. Jackson, Jr. of the State Department of Motor Vehicles and GTSC chair.

"We chose a positive, comprehensive approach to delivering a safety message that is sure to attract the attention of many people from all walks of life," said Commissioner Jackson. "The color ‘yellow’ is used prominently in the campaign to represent ‘caution,’ along with representing the summer sun and warmth."

The campaign announcement at Peebles Island State Park in Waterford included remarks by State Police Superintendent James W. McMahon, Thomas Louizou, Regional Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Dr. Dennis McKenna, Chief Resident of Emergency Medicine at Albany Medical Center. Participating organizations included the New York State Association of Traffic Safety Boards, area Stewart’s Shops and Price Chopper Supermarkets. Free safety inspections of children’s bicycles and helmets were provided by State Trooper Bruce MacWatters. Also in attendance at the event were Waterford, Cohoes, Troy, and Saratoga Springs Police Departments.

Superintendent McMahon said, "too often, troopers, deputies and police officers witness needless tragedies on our highways that are caused, in part, by drinking, speeding and not buckling up. Throughout the summer the law enforcement community will be doing all it can to minimize these tragic consequences."

Dr. McKenna, co-author of a trauma textbook on injury control, said, "As emergency physicians, we often deal with the dire consequences of risky behavior. We must therefore be outspoken advocates on the issues that will make people safer."

NHTSA Regional Administrator Louizou added that "Through the cooperation of federal, state and local partners, the nation’s highway fatality rate has dropped from 2.2 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel 10 years ago to 1.5 in 1999. With the help of this new initiative in New York State, we will continue to pursue our battle against impaired driving, advancing seat belt and child seat use, and increasing public awareness about sharing the road with motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians."

A special feature of the event was the introduction of a "Play It Safe This Summer - Drive Right" public service message, soon to be shown on local TV throughout New York State. The multi-media campaign also includes posters, informational materials and radio ads. The "Play It Safe This Summer - Drive Right" message will be featured at summer fairs and community events across the state.

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http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/pr-52500.htm -- Revised: December 26, 2001
Copyright © 2002  NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee