$25 Million in Highway Safety Grants for New York

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced highway safety programs across the state will receive nearly $25 million in grants from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). The Federal highway safety grants will be distributed among nearly 700 state, local and not-for-profit agencies to conduct various highway and traffic safety initiatives.

In 2008, the GTSC awarded $24.8 million for nearly 700 projects to address a variety of highway safety programs. In 2007, GTSC awarded a total of more than $22.3 million to 698 individual projects. Included in those programs are enforcement and education efforts regarding drinking and driving, passenger restraint laws and safety rules, aggressive driving, excessive speed, bicycle and pedestrian safety as well as others.

The grants announced today are divided into four distinct categories that include:

 

• Buckle-Up New York (BUNY): Programs designed for grantees to do seat belt enforcement;

 

• Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP): Initiatives by law enforcement to target individual traffic safety issues such as speed, aggressive driving and red light running;

 

• Child Passenger Safety: Includes child passenger safety education, car seat checks, distribution of seats and child seat fitting stations; and,

 

• Agency Programs: State, local and not-for-profit programs that cover additional traffic safety undertakings through education, enforcement, engineering, training or technology.
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The grant funding announced today is part of the Governor's commitment to public safety and improving the quality of life all across New York State. In the State of the State address given early this month the Governor said: "Without safe streets, there is no community." Traffic safety is part of that message and the GTSC is building upon that commitment by providing this valuable assistance directly to those entities that will make our roadways safer.

For a complete listing of all of the 2008 grant projects, please visit the GTSC website at: www.safeny.com or contact the DMV Office of Communications at (518) 473-7000.

The GTSC reminds all New Yorkers that they can do their part to improve highway and traffic safety by never mixing driving with alcohol or drugs. Motorists should always be on guard for potential changes in road conditions, obey posted speed limits, and use proper vehicle restraints for all passengers. Drivers should also avoid behavior such as aggressive driving, road rage and driving while tired or distracted and ensure the proper operating condition of a motor vehicle through regular maintenance. For more tips and information, visit the GTSC Web site at: http://www.safeny.com