GTSC Reminds Motorists to Drive Safely this Holiday Weekend

ALBANY, NY (08/30/2007)(readMedia)-- Commissioner David J. Swarts of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) today was joined at a press conference by Commissioner Astrid Glynn of the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT), Major David Salmon of the New York State Police, Executive Director Michael Fleischer of the New York State Thruway Authority and other partners concerned with highway safety to remind motorists to drive safely this holiday weekend. The Labor Day weekend marks the end of the busy summer travel season and today the state agencies launched a multifaceted public awareness campaign aimed at reminding motorists to always wear their seatbelt.

The public safety campaign called “Get It Together” consists of :30 and :15 second television public service announcements and :60 and :30 second radio public service announcements that are being aired statewide in cooperation with the New York State Broadcasters Association. The public service announcements feature Mrs. New York American Beauty 2008 and her father who avoided serious injuries and even death by wearing their seat belts during a horrific motor vehicle accident. Other components include: banners and public service announcements at all Thruway Travel Plazas, handout cards being distributed by the State Police and local law enforcement agencies; and approximately 500 billboards across the state. The education and enforcement initiative is running for 17 weeks, ending before the winter holiday season. To view the commercials and see the other components of “Get It Together”, please visit www.nysdmv.com or www.safeny.com.

“This new and innovative public information campaign is aimed at once again reminding motorists of the importance of using seat belts and child safety seats. It does not matter how far or where you are going, always ‘Get It Together’ and buckle up,” said Commissioner Swarts. “Seat belts save lives and can reduce the chances of being seriously injured or killed in a crash. Every year, far too many motorists die or are seriously injured when, in just seconds, a needless tragedy could have been prevented by getting it together with a click of the seat belt.”

In 2006, there were 16 people killed statewide during the 78 hour Labor Day holiday weekend from September 1 – September 4. Seven of those deaths were directly related to six accidents involving alcohol, four involving excessive speed and two including both alcohol and excessive speed. Since 2001, during the holiday weekend there have been 111 people killed statewide for an average of more than 18 each year.

Based on annual statewide observation surveys, the seat belt usage rate on New York’s roadways remained constant at 85 percent between 2003 and 2005. In 2006, however, the usage rate declined to 83 percent and remains at that level in 2007. According to police accident reports, the reported rate of restraint use in crashes is very similar to the observed rate, ranging from 83 percent to 84 percent in 2003-2005. Police reported restraint use among the vehicle occupants killed in crashes was much lower; in 2006, 42 percent were not wearing a seat belt. Seven out of ten tickets issued for seat belt violations in New York State are written by local police agencies. In total, approximately 475,000 seat belt tickets were issued in 2006, down from approximately 542,000 in 2003.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn said, “Labor Day is an excellent time for increased safe-driving awareness by the millions of motorists traveling the 114,000 miles of roads in our state. Even one life is too many to lose. While DOT works hard to design, build and maintain safe roads, it’s up to each of us to ‘Get It Together’ and do our part to increase safety.”

Major David Salmon of the State Police said, “New York’s law enforcement officers witness first hand the tragic and needless loss of life that results when motor vehicle occupants are unrestrained in a car crash. We investigate those crashes where the occupants don’t walk away, and too often conclude that the injuries sustained were completely avoidable if the victim had simply worn their seat belt. And we have the unenviable job of notifying the wife, mother, or father that their loved one is not coming home. It is those experiences that harden the resolve of New York’s police officers, regardless of the color of their uniform, to strictly enforce safety restraint laws.”

Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer of the Thruway Authority said, “Educating the public about the importance of seat belt compliance along the New York State Thruway is a major focus of the “Get It Together” campaign. As part of our commitment to educating motorists, we have hung “Get It Together” posters and banners, in addition to running public service announcements, in all 27 Thruway Travel Plazas. This seat belt campaign is aimed at the traveling public – whether travel is on the Thruway, in town or out of state. The message of the campaign remains the same - buckle up and drive safely.”

DMV Commissioner Swarts also encouraged motorists to obey the rules of the road and use common sense when confronted with a construction zone or roadside emergency. Motorists should talk only on hands-free cell phones while driving, avoid stopping or parking in travel lanes or medians, always signal before turning and adjust speed for road conditions.

On January 1, 1985, New York became the first state in the nation to enact a seat belt law. Under New York State law, when riding in the front seat, the driver and each passenger must wear a seat belt, one person per belt. The driver and front-seat passengers aged 16 or older can be fined up to $50 each for failure to buckle up. Each passenger under age 16 must wear a seat belt or use an appropriate child safety restraint system. The restraint system must comply with the child height and weight recommendations determined by the manufacturer. Depending on the size of the child, the restraint system may be a safety seat or a booster seat used in combination with a lap and shoulder belt. The driver must make sure that each passenger under age 16 obeys the law. The driver can be fined $25 to $100 and receive three driver license penalty points for each violation.

The GTSC coordinates traffic safety activities across the State and is comprised of 14 member agencies, whose initiatives include programs that are designed to promote highway safety. The head of each agency acts as that agency’s official representative to the Committee with the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles serving as the Chair.

For county specific data for past Labor Day weekends, please contact DMV Communications at: (518) 473-7000. Additional driver safety tips are available by visiting the DMV website at www.nysdmv.com or the GTSC website at www.safeny.com.

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