GTSC Presents Partners for Safety Award

ALBANY, NY (03/13/2009)(readMedia)-- The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) presented its Partners for Safety Award to the Outdoor Advertising Foundation of New York, Inc. on March 9 before the MAAC Basketball Tournament Championship Game at the Times Union Center in Albany. The foundation was recognized for displaying traffic safety messages free of charge on a digital billboard along I-90 in Albany. The digital billboard messaging, which was utilized during the last two GTSC public safety awareness campaigns, had approximately 15 time slots of viewing on the donated signage.

"The unique partnership that exists between the GTSC and the Foundation has allowed us to strengthen our traffic safety messages statewide," said Commissioner David J. Swarts of the Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of GTSC. "Together, through this valuable public education resource, we are improving driver behaviors, reducing needless crashes and making our roadways safer for all those who travel on them."

The award presentation coincided with the GTSC's STOP-DWI Traffic Safety Night, which featured a driving simulator and traffic safety display area in the concourse of the Center.

Matthew Duddy from the Outdoor Advertising Foundation of New York, Inc. said, "The digital billboard is an effective tool because it is a dynamic medium that reaches motorists while they are behind the wheel and makes them more aware of their driving behavior. The Foundation is glad to be able to partner with GTSC to do whatever we can to help reduce traffic injuries and deaths on our highways across the state."

The Partners for Safety program recognizes businesses for their contributions in support of traffic safety programs in their communities. The efforts of private sector partners assist GTSC and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in fulfilling their mission to save lives and reduce injuries in New York State. Besides aiding in the promotion of traffic safety, private sector initiatives and cooperative efforts with GTSC, DMV and other government and law enforcement agencies make more efficient use of both private and public resources.

Each year, honorees are nominated by GTSC's partners from the County Traffic Safety Boards and STOP-DWI programs statewide. In the 13 years since the program was launched in 1996, 27 separate businesses have been recognized.

For pictures suitable for publication of the presentation, please contact DMV Communications at: 518-473-7000. Driver safety tips and other information is available by visiting the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee web site at: SafeNY.com.

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