LT. GOVERNOR DONOHUE ANNOUNCES $10.4 MILLION
FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY
Launches Holiday Safe Driving Campaign

Lt. Governor Mary O. Donohue today announced that the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) has approved $10.4 million in grants to be awarded to localities, not-for-profit organizations and State agencies for highway safety initiatives. She also launched a statewide highway safety campaign urging New Yorkers to "Think Safe and Drive Sober.

"New York State’s roads and highways are safer than ever, but we must continue to improve upon our record with traffic safety initiatives that help save lives", Lt. Governor Donohue said.   "These grants support coordinated efforts to reduce traffic deaths and injuries, especially through expanded enforcement of the seat belt law and enhanced efforts to crack down on aggressive drivers, drinking drivers, and others whose reckless behaviors pose a danger to travelers on New York State roadways."

The traffic safety initiatives include programs to increase seat belt usage, promote pedestrian and bicycle safety awareness, and educate drivers on the proper use of child restraints. Other initiatives include the nationally recognized Project Zero, New York State’s blanket DWI patrol; campaign Safe and Sober, aimed at reducing speeding, aggressive driving and underage drinking and driving; and Buckle Up New York campaign.

The amount includes 96 grants totaling more than $3.2 million for local highway safety projects, with emphasis on seat belt law enforcement and increased detection of alcohol-impaired driving. Thirty-six community law enforcement agencies will share $412,975 in funding for the statewide Buckle Up New York campaign. This will include the use of dedicated overtime patrols to participate in road checks with State Police and other agencies in statewide enforcement sweeps, as well as local patrols targeting non-compliance with New York’s safety belt law.

In launching the "Think Safe and Drive Sober" campaign, Lt. Governor Donohue said print and electronic news media will help promote the need to remind New Yorkers to be smart during the holidays.

"These last weeks of the year give us an opportunity to spend special time with family and friends. But holiday gatherings can become very tragic times if someone drinks and drives, she said. In 1998, every two minutes someone in New York State was killed or injured in traffic accidents between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. We must not let this happen again this year. I join Governor Pataki and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee in urging all New Yorkers to heed the campaign message to "Think Safe And Drive Sober"."

Statistics compiled by GTSC show that 23 people were killed in traffic accidents during last year’s 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday weekend, six of them involving alcohol.

DMV Commissioner Richard E. Jackson noted the importance of getting plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel, "Drowsy driving can affect your driving skills, so share the driving with a rested passenger or take frequent breaks. Don’t push yourself to drive beyond your limits. If your holiday plans include drinking, be sure you have a safe trip home, either by taxi or a designated driver who remains sober."

State Police Superintendent James W. McMahon said, "The New York State Police want to make sure everyone makes it home safe for the holidays. Don’t drink and drive, obey the speed limits, and by all means, buckle up."

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee is comprised of state agencies concerned with highway safety issues. GTSC coordinates programs and research efforts that improve highway safety and administers a federal grant program funded by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. Each year, GTSC spends $400,000 to promote safe driving initiatives, including this season’s "Think Safe and Drive Sober" program.

GTSC grants are based on strategic traffic safety plans developed by counties, local governments and not-for-profit organizations. Grant proposals are designed to address specific highway safety concerns identified in these strategic plans, which contribute to the state’s overall program to improve highway safety. Grants are also awarded to State agencies, such as the Department of Transportation, for development of an improved crash information retrieval and evaluation system, and the State Police, for an aggressive driving enforcement program.

This year’s awards will also include mini-grants of up to $5,000 that counties can use to assist in developing strategic traffic safety plans. Last year similar grants were set aside to assist counties that had not previously participated in the funding program. As a result, Saratoga County received a grant last year and Essex County will receive a grant this year to help identify priority traffic safety issues and propose counter-measures.

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee grants announced today are:

ALBANY COUNTY:

Seat Belt and Pedestrian Safety Compliance $160,010

Albany County will continue an education and enforcement project to reduce the county’s traffic crash and injury severity rate. A public information campaign addressing the areas of seat belt and pedestrian safety will be coordinated with enforcement.

ALLEGANY COUNTY:

Rural Speed Enforcement Project $14,000

Allegany County has identified enforcement as a major element for reducing speeding and aggressive driving behaviors. This project will implement aggressive driving road patrols to reduce related injuries and fatalities.

BROOME COUNTY:

CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION:

Community Traffic Safety Program $48,409

Allegany County will develop a comprehensive program to address local traffic safety problems, including bicycle/pedestrian safety, occupant/child restraints, speed and alcohol. Educational programs will target students from the elementary level through high school. Numerous campaigns will promote community awareness of traffic safety issues. Local law enforcement agencies will provide increased traffic checks for speed and alcohol violations.

Be Safe Broome $53,388

The Broome County Health Department will conduct a comprehensive injury prevention project to increase pedestrian safety awareness and the use of bicycle helmets and occupant restraints. Main activities will include child safety seat checks, an evaluation of bicycle helmet use in the county, and a low-cost bicycle helmet distribution program in partnership with Parent Teacher Associations. A pedestrian safety campaign, targeting 10 to 14 year olds, will be implemented through elementary school physical education teachers.

CATTARAGUS COUNTY:

Child & Adult Vehicle Restraint Enhancement & Enforcement $45,000

Cattaragus County will increase occupant restraint usage by purchasing and issuing 75 new child safety car seats to low income families and by conducting overtime seat belt enforcement patrols.

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY:

Speed Enforcement and Interdiction Unit $64,000

Chautauqua County will continue a speed enforcement and public education program to reduce traffic deaths, injuries and property damage. In addition to aggressive speed law enforcement, the program includes a countywide media blitz espousing the value of responsible highway speeds.

CLINTON COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Program $34,538

Clinton County will use a combined approach of education and enforcement to address occupant protection, child restraint use, speed, and aggressive driving.

CORTLAND COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Injury Prevention Program $14,434

The Cortland County Health Department will continue its Traffic Safety Injury Prevention Program with a main focus on occupant restraints, bicycle safety, and speeding. Highlights include working with Cortland County Memorial Hospital on child passenger safety, partnering with local businesses and community groups on public awareness and education programs, and coordinating intervention and education efforts with SUNY Cortland.

Stop, Look and Listen Impaired Driving Prevention Project $3,000

The Seven Valleys Council on Alcoholism will use advocacy and awareness programming to reduce traffic injuries in Cortland County. The project includes efforts to require keg licensure; developing a portable DWI Victim’s Board, providing an educational/referral component to the occupational safety/health program, and supervisory staff training on requirements for drug testing of drivers, including early identification of substance abuse.

Comprehensive Bicycle Safety Project $15,320

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County will continue implementing a comprehensive bicycle safety program. Highlights include enhanced school participation, leadership/volunteer development, consumer education, and bicycle clinics and safety checks.

DELAWARE COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Education and Enforcement $38,000

Delaware County will continue a strong education and community awareness program, including detection of seat belt, speeding, and underage alcohol purchase violations. The program will include school presentations, support of SADD chapters, and development of educational materials. Delaware will continue to coordinate DWI Victim Impact Panels, a SADD conference, and the distribution of bicycle helmets through local police departments.

ERIE COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Educational Program $350,000

Erie County will coordinate a project that includes many local municipal agencies working together to reduce traffic deaths and injuries. The partnership will focus on occupant protection, underage drinking and driving, traffic law enforcement, and bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Traffic Safety and Enforcement Program $35,060

In conjunction with State Police, Franklin County will implement a series of periodic traffic checks to detect drinking drivers. The project includes purchase of three Datamaster alcohol testing devices for Malone, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, and one radar unit for Saranac lake. The county will also develop educational materials on bike rodeos, in-line skating and school bus safety.

HERKIMER COUNTY:

Village of Dolgeville $3,000
Village of Frankfort $20,500
Village of Herkimer $5,500
Village of Ilion $10,000

Comprehensive Traffic Safety Enforcement

These four communities will continue enforcement and education initiatives to address DWI/DWAI enforcement, occupant protection and speed enforcement. Agencies will work with schools, community groups and local businesses to address these issues.

LEWIS COUNTY:

Enhanced Speed Limit Enforcement $22,000

This grant will provide two radar units to help the Lewis County Sheriff's Department address the problem of unsafe speed.

Project Turnaround $2,500

This Lewis County grant will enable development of an alcohol and substance abuse education program to provide a viable option for the courts and a worthwhile experience for the participant.

MONROE COUNTY:

Highway Safety Community Partnership Plan $320,000

Monroe County will administer a Highway Safety Community Partnership Plan that includes several local municipal governments and not-for-profit agencies working together to address traffic safety problems. The partnership will address occupant restraints, bicycle and pedestrian safety, school bus safety and impaired driving.

 NEW YORK CITY:

BRONX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES:

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Initiative $84,000

Transportation Alternatives will continue a project to reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries in Bronx County. They will work with schools, parent associations and civic groups to identify unsafe locations, and focus on "Safety Routes to School" programs. School communities and educators will choose preferred routes, identify related safety problems and needed improvements. Bicycle safety efforts will include the purchase of safety equipment, such as bells, helmets and reflective vests.

BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN:

Manhattan Walkable Cities Project $90,000

The Manhattan Borough President’s Office will continue utilizing engineering, education and enforcement strategies to focus on pedestrian/bicycle safety.

QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S OFFICE:

Comprehensive Community Traffic Safety Program $145,000

The Queens Borough President’s Office will continue an injury prevention project covering the safety aspects of seat belts, car seats, bicycle helmets, pedestrians, youth and the aging driver. Educational programs, presentations and materials, including a web page, will supplement Queens' traffic safety messages.

QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S OFFICE:

Comprehensive Community Traffic Safety $45,000

The Queens County Traffic Safety Board has identified the non-use and misuse of child safety seats and seat belts as a priority safety problem. A public information and education program will complement car seat technician training, child safety seat clinics and check points.

ONONDAGA COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Program $178,000

The Onondaga County Health Department will coordinate a countywide traffic safety program addressing occupant restraint use, driver attitudes, bicycle safety, pedestrian safety and traffic enforcement.

OSWEGO COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Program $48,000

Oswego County will implement a community-based traffic safety program encompassing enforcement, alcohol education, bicycle safety and child safety seat education.

OTSEGO COUNTY:

Reduction of Accident Severity Index $19,550

To reduce its high accident severity index, Otsego County will increase road patrols checking for speeding, DWI, seat belt non-compliance, and other violations, and the detection of alcohol sales to minors.

Developing a Crash Data Base $14,852

Otsego County will develop a central data base for analysis of all factors related to traffic injuries and motor vehicle crashes. In conjunction with the Research Computing Center at Bassett Healthcare, crash data will be collected from police, emergency medical service, judicial and highway agencies to merge with local hospital emergency room and inpatient data.

PUTNAM COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Program $55,000

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department will conduct a comprehensive education program focused on occupant restraints, in-line skating, and bicycle/pedestrian safety. This program will help determine occupant restraint law compliance through surveys and a review of crash reports.

Speed Enforcement $15,200

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Department will continue a project to improve traffic safety by reducing the number of crashes through improved speed enforcement efforts. Accident data and speed surveys will be used to evaluate and designate county roadways targeted for speed enforcement.

VILLAGE OF COLD SPRINGS:

Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program $4,200

The Cold Springs Police Department will continue an education and enforcement program targeting speed, occupant restraints, and the suspended/revoked and aggressive driver. Dedicated patrols will target dangerous driving behaviors.

TOWN OF CARMEL:

Speed and Seat Belt Enforcement $6,000

The Carmel Police Department will address the need for enhanced traffic safety enforcement through selective enforcement of speed, seat belt and DWI violations.

TOWN OF KENT:

Speed Enforcement $6,900

The Kent Police Department will continue a speed enforcement and education project using dedicated patrols to target speeding violations.

RENSSELAER COUNTY:

CITY OF RENSSELAER:

Traffic Safety and Seat Belt Enforcement $20,000

The City of Rensselaer Police Department will continue an education and enforcement project targeting speed law compliance, occupant restraints, school bus safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety. Seat belt and child restraint safety checkpoints and speed law enforcement zones will be established.

CITY OF TROY:

Seat Belt Compliance Enforcement Project $34,000

The Troy Police Department will use motorcycle patrols to help New York State increase seat belt law compliance. Both checkpoint and moving mode enforcement will be used.

 ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY:

Community Traffic Safety Program $64,796

St. Lawrence County will continue public information and educational initiatives in schools and public forums. Topics include occupant restraints, bicycle, pedestrian and in-line skating for youth, and pedestrian safety for senior citizens. Alcohol safety also will be addressed through increased detection of underage purchases and training seminars for tavern and store personnel. The county will develop two public service announcements addressing work zone safety issues.

SCHENECTADY COUNTY:

Traffic Safety Program $39,545

The Schenectady County Traffic Safety Board Coordinator will coordinate traffic safety efforts within the county and act as a liaison with local law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses and other regional, state and national organizations. The program will emphasize efforts in bicycle and pedestrian safety, speed law compliance and occupant protection, including child safety seats.

Underage Drinking and Driving $21,200

Schenectady County will educate young drivers under age 21 about the dangers of drinking and driving. The project will conduct youth-oriented DWI impact panels in area high schools and colleges. Local enforcement agencies will aggressively enforce underage drinking laws in coordination with the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office and the State Liquor Authority. Educational efforts will continue for employees of establishments with liquor licenses, especially those selling alcohol for off-premises consumption.

SUNNYVIEW HOSPITAL:

Prevention Across the Ages $60,800

Sunnyview Hospital, Schenectady, will work with community partners to address the causes of occupant restraint, pedestrian, bicycle and in-line skating injuries. The grant will cover development of a generic car seat classroom education program, an evaluation of the effects of car seat installation training, a car seat bounty program, a car seat training program, and the "Think First for Kids" teacher curriculum for Capital District elementary schools.

CITY OF SCHENECTADY:

Occupant Restraint and Speed Enforcement $20,000

The City of Schenectady Police Department will develop a data base of speed and occupant restraint surveys and crash data. With the ability to direct selective enforcement efforts based on facts and statistical need, the department will have the greatest return in crash prevention per man hour of enforcement.

TOWN OF GLENVILLE

Increased Traffic Safety Awareness $6,000

The Town of Glenville Police Department will continue an education and enforcement program targeting a number of highway safety issues, such as seat belt and child passenger safety laws, bicycle safety and helmet use. The program includes selective speed law enforcement by dedicated patrols.

TOWN OF NISKAYUNA:

Bicycle and Seat Belt Safety Program $6,000

The Town of Niskayuna Police department will continue an education and enforcement program targeting vehicle and pedestrian safety issues, bicycle safety, increased occupant restraint use and speed law compliance. Patrol officers will be deployed in residential areas experiencing a high rate of speed violations.

TOWN OF ROTTERDAM:

Accident Reduction Initiative $8,000

The Town of Rotterdam Police Department will continue to reduce traffic crashes by conducting selective enforcement details and increasing awareness of traffic safety issues through programs targeting senior citizens and pedestrians. A computer program which tracks the locations and causes of crashes will allow officers to direct enforcement to problem areas.

VILLAGE OF SCOTIA:

Selective Speed Enforcement $2,000

The Village of Scotia Police Department will use selective enforcement patrols to both educate and enforce occupant restraint use and speed law compliance. The department and the County Coordinator will conduct a survey of seat belt use within the village to establish baseline compliance data.

STEUBEN COUNTY:

Slow Down Steuben County $23,000

Steuben County will combine education and enforcement to address unsafe speeds. The program will include law enforcement patrols and efforts to raise public awareness through presentations and community involvement.

VILLAGE OF CANISTEO:

Alive at Eighteen $11,900

The Canisteo program will address bicycle/pedestrian safety and child safety seat education. The program will include bike rodeos, helmet and car seat distributions, voluntary car seat installation checks, and pedestrian/bike safety presentations at elementary schools.

SUFFOLK COUNTY:

Aggressive Operator Enforcement $25,000

In a pilot traffic safety project, the Suffolk County Police Department will use a video camera along the Long Island Expressway and the Sunrise Highway to identify traffic infractions and document crashes that occur as a result of such actions.

Junior License Operator Enforcement $25,000

This Suffolk County education and enforcement project is designed to reduce traffic crashes among new drivers. Its success will be measured by the reduction of crashes involving students directly impacted by the program.

Traffic Safety Among Seniors $100,000

This is a cooperative project of the Suffolk County STOP-DWI Office and the Department of Public Works. The project will present workshops at senior centers throughout the county, using the National Safety Council curricula with Suffolk County demographics and geographic locations.

Section 511 Prosecution and Adjudication $17,500

The Suffolk County Police Department, District Attorney and County Courts are continuing a program targeting incidents involving aggravated unlicensed operation, scofflaws and repeat offenders are arrested and immediately called for court appearance. In the past two years, this effort has resulted in more than 1,200 arrests, the clearing of nearly 4,000 warrants and more than 6,000 scofflaws.

VILLAGE OF AMITYVILLE:

Speed Enforcement $5,000

The Amityville Police Department will conduct selective speed enforcement program, concentrating on local roads during rush hours. Previous studies indicate that speeding is a problem on these roads, partly due to their proximity to major arterials which are highly congested at rush hours.

TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN:

Community Action for Pedestrian Safety $16,250

This is the fourth year of a Town of Brookhaven project to implement community programs targeting solutions to pedestrian injuries. Community and private sector resources will be identified to continue the program after federal funding expires. The town is providing a 50 percent funding match for this project.

TOWN OF BROOKHAVEN:

Areawide Traffic Calming Project $70,000

This Town of Brookhaven project will develop and implement standards for evaluating and implementing traffic calming strategies. The project will use engineering solutions and incorporate enforcement and education principles to reduce the incidence of traffic crashes.

TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON:

Speed/Stop Sign Enforcement $40,000

This is the third year of a comprehensive selective enforcement program in this eastern Long Island township. This year’s focus will be the development of a DWI and underage alcohol purchase enforcement effort.

TOMPKINS COUNTY:

NEW YORK STATE 4-H FOUNDATION, INC.:

On the Road Cycling Skills $52,000

The New York State 4-H Foundation will continue a bicycle education program to provide youth and adult teachers with skills to reduce the chance of crash involvement. The project director will develop written teaching material on safe bicycling and provide up-to-date web page data.

CORNELL UNIVERSITY:

Work Zone Safety Training $35,244

Cornell University will provide technical assistance and training to local highway safety officials on the latest flagger and work zone safety technologies and practices. A series of  one-day training workshops will be provided to municipalities throughout the state.

ULSTER COUNTY:

Selective Enforcement Program $25,000

Ulster County will conduct a centrally coordinated selective enforcement program in conjunction with a data linkage initiative currently in progress. Each selective enforcement detail will be dispatched to a location identified as having a high incidence of traffic crashes. The goal is to promote injury reduction through enforcement activities designed to impact injury/fatality rates.

ULSTER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

Traffic Injury Prevention Project $62,000

Ulster County Community College will collaborate with various partners to broaden a network of safety programs and provide support for public events and other projects. These efforts will focus on the "Train the Trainer" program, school safety/health fairs, data linkage support, community liaison for the Ulster County traffic safety Board, a bicycle rodeo, and marketing traffic safety through media.

WASHINGTON COUNTY:

Seat Belt and Speed Law Compliance $32,000

An alliance of Washington County community, public and private professionals will work together to reduce traffic deaths and injuries through increased compliance with seat belt and speed laws.

"BUCKLE UP" CAMPAIGN GRANTS:

The 36 organizations sharing $412,975 in Buckle Up New York safety grants include: