Law Enforcement from across the state discuss traffic safety initiatives during Distracted Driving Awareness Month
(April 9, 2014) More than 300 members of law enforcement from Buffalo to Brooklyn attended a two-day conference on traffic safety initiatives with a focus on the dangers of reckless and distracted driving. The Empire State Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Conference, held Tuesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 9 at the Albany Marriott on Wolf Road in Colonie, brought together law enforcement members from village, town, city, county and State Police.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and traffic crashes continue to be the greatest threat to the safety of the average New Yorker and the number one killer of teens in America.
Participants heard from experts discussing the latest technology for DWI investigations, officer safety, drug interdiction and the dangers of reckless and distracted driving.
State and local law enforcement are participating in stepped up traffic safety enforcement efforts including “Operation Hang Up” announced by Governor Cuomo today. “Operation Hang Up” will consist of high visibility, stepped up cell phone and texting enforcement statewide April 10 – April 15.
In addition to the enforcement efforts, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee has the distracted driving message “Smart phone. Dumb choice. Don’t Text and Drive” displayed on more than 250 billboards throughout the state. Several distracted driving Public Service Announcements are also running on stations statewide. Also during the enforcement period, the Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation have activated vehicle message boards along state highways to further spread the safety message.
New York State Police Superintendent Joseph A. D’Amico said, “The New York State Police are pleased to partner with other law enforcement agencies across the state in order to make our roads safer. By working together to educate drivers on the dangers of speed, impaired and distracted driving, hopefully we can save lives.”
Barbara J. Fiala, Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee said, “Education and enforcement are key ingredients to changing the behaviors of those who text or use their cell phones while driving. We believe that with the new laws put in place by Governor Cuomo, and the efforts of the law enforcement community, we can have the same positive impact on behavior that we saw with similar efforts such as increasing the use of seat belts.”
Colonie Police Chief Steven Heider said, “Most communities throughout New York have struggled with traffic problems through the years. Conferences like this allow law enforcement to bring great ideas back to their communities to formulate their procedures and policies in order to keep their streets and roads safer. Throughout my years in law enforcement, aggressive traffic enforcement has led to great reduction in serious physical injury and fatal crashes.”
Conference participants also heard from Dr. Kelly K. Browning, Executive Director of Impact Teen Drivers. Impact Teen Drivers was conceived by the California Association of Highway Patrolmen in response to the high frequency of crashes involving teens. The program includes training for law enforcement and educating teens, parents, first responders, educators and health professionals about the dangers of reckless and distracted driving.
The traffic enforcement efforts are paid for by grants through the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee. http://www.safeny.ny.gov/phon-ndx.htm