Media Advisory: Slow-Moving Vehicle Press Conference

WHAT: SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE PRESS CONFERENCE

Slow-Moving Vehicle Safety Month Is April 2009

WHEN: April 8, 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: North Entrance, Toyota Exhibit Center (Dairy Cattle Barn)

NYS Fairgrounds, Gate 2

581 State Fair Boulevard

Syracuse, NY

WHO: Chuck DeWeese, Assistant Commissioner for the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC)

Patrick Hooker, Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets

James Carrabba, Agricultural Safety Specialist, New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH)

Danielle Dapson, NYS Officer, Madison Chapter, FFA

Captain Jeffrey Raub, NY State Police

Don Baker, Director of the Office of Modal Safety, NYS Department of Transportation (DOT)

NOTES: April 2009 is Slow-Moving Vehicle and You Awareness Month.

Several changes to the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law, in regards to the use of Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems and lighting, went into effect on January 1, 2009.

In 2007, there were 59 accidents involving SMVs that resulted in 17 personal injuries in New York State. According to the National Safety Council, there are more than 15,000 crashes involving farm vehicles on U.S. roads each year. When a fatality occurs, the victim is typically the tractor operator.

CONTACT: DMV Communications: 518-473-7000

THE MEDIA IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND