STATE HONORS 5 ORGANIZATIONS AS 'PARTNERS FOR SAFETY'
Press Release from NYS Department of Motor Vehicles - March 13, 1998

Albany - The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today presented five organizations with the third annual Partners for Safety Awards for their voluntary traffic safety programs in New York State.

"Governor George E. Pataki has made traffic safety a top priority in New York State because he knows that it saves lives," said State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Richard E. Jackson, Jr., chair of the GTSC. "The awards we are presenting today recognize businesses and organizations that have joined in New York State's traffic safety efforts by voluntarily taking their own steps to prevent highway accidents and injuries, making New York State a safer place to live."

GTSC started the Partners for Safety Awards program three years ago to recognize traffic safety contributions made by companies and organizations outside of State government.

This year's Partners for Safety Awards recipients are:

• The Air Force's 107th and 914th Wings, based in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, for sponsoring week-long traffic safety fairs for the past two years at the Niagara Falls Air Base. The fairs attracted 2,500 high school seniors from all 12 school districts in Niagara County. Special events included 30 mph crash demonstrations, the New York State Police Rollover Simulator and Convincer, the Chrysler Corporation Neon Drunk Driving Simulator, breathalyzer demonstrations, and simulated vehicle fires. The success of this program has earned Niagara County a "safe community" designation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Washington, D.C., for helping New York State promote public awareness of the dangers of drowsy driving. A cooperative effort with the National Sleep Foundation, AAA affiliate clubs in New York State, and the GTSC enabled the AAA Foundation to develop audio cassettes about drowsy driving that became a major educational component to New York's "Drive Alert, Arrive Alive" public awareness campaign. The Foundation produced the cassette and donated 10,000 copies of it for distribution throughout New York State.
• Blythedale Children's Hospital, Valhalla, Westchester County, which has been instrumental in coordinating traffic safety and injury prevention programs in Westchester County for the past seven years. The hospital's numerous activities have included development of the Westchester Coalition for Injury Prevention and Control, soliciting child safety seats and aiding in their distribution through membership on the Westchester County Traffic Safety Board, developing a Traffic Safety Puppet Show for school children, and promoting bicycle safety by donating helmets and providing free conference facilities.
• The New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT), Albany, Albany County, an organization of more than 600 professionals responsible for the administration and supervision of pupil transportation services. Since its inception in 1974, NYAPT has served New York State government as a technical resource for information on bus transportation and safety issues. NYAPT's ongoing educational efforts, including participation in the "Operation Safe Stop" school bus safety program, have helped promote safety and enhance professional development.
• Nationwide Insurance, Columbus, Ohio, for its Prom Promise program, in which students encourage each other to sign pledges not to use alcohol or drugs, especially on prom night. This special safety effort is offered free of charge to high schools in 22 states, including 47 schools in the Capital Region. The student committees that coordinate the program are assisted by faculty advisors and local Nationwide Insurance agents. Nationwide provides all of the materials needed to implement an in-school campaign free of charge.

The names of the five new "Partners for Safety" were engraved on an honor roll plaque displayed at the GTSC headquarters in Albany. Previous recipients include Allstate Insurance, Amtrak, Conrail, CVS Corporation, Midas Muffler and Brake Shops, New York State Automobile Association, and Utica National Insurance Group.

"We are pleased to recognize these organizations for going the extra mile on behalf of highway safety," Commissioner Jackson said. "We also hope the Partners for Safety program will encourage other groups to actively join in the effort to prevent crashes, save lives and reduce injuries on our highways."

The GTSC is the state's highway safety office. Comprised of representatives from 14 State agencies, GTSC coordinates programs and research that improves traffic safety across New York State.