Traffic Safety Program

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Broome County Traffic Safety Education Program 

Mission:

• To reduce and prevent traffic related injuries and fatalities through community educational outreach, programming and events.
• Areas of focus:
• Child Passenger Safety
• Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety
• Younger Driver Safety
• Motorcycle Safety
• Older Driver Safety
• Impaired Driving
• Distracted Driving
• Safety Belt Use
• Veterans and Traffic Safety

Funding:

• Our programming is made possible through funding by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

Programs we offer:

Child Passenger Safety Presentations:

• Basic education for parents and caregivers on best practice guidelines, New York State laws and current recommendations.
• Trainings for agencies (day care centers, child care agencies, schools, medical care professionals, etc,) who provide services to families and caregivers and/or transport children.
• Child Passenger Safety Technician Certification Courses for individuals who wish to become nationally certified as a child passenger safety technician. 

Child Safety Seat Check Events:

• Host or attend an event!  These events are open to all families and caregivers - no appointment is necessary.  Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are on site to check for proper installation, seat expiration, recall status, proper harnessing and ensure that the seat is appropriate for the child based on age, weight, height and development. Technicians will walk parents and caregivers step by step through the process of proper installation of the seat as well as correct harnessing on the child. 

Child Safety Seat Fitting Stations and Distribution Programs:

• Please see specific details below about these programs under Child Passenger Safety.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Presentations:

• These presentations are designed for school-aged children and teach young riders about basic bike and pedestrian safety.  A "melon drop" demonstration is conducted to emphasize the importance of proper helmet use.  Helmet fittings are also available.

Cycling Skills Clinics

Cycling Skills Clinics are designed to be a fun educational activity for children of varying levels of bicycle riding experience and serves to:

• Educate: increase knowledge about traffic safety and bicycling
• Train: transfer the knowledge to the practice of skills and decision-making while riding a bicycle
• Motivate: energize and excite participants to want to learn more and to engage in bicycling

The clinic consist of a series of stations that are designed to teach the participants the basics of traffic safety when bicycling as well as safe bike handling skills. 

"Just Drive" Presentations:

•  The "Hang Up, Buckle Up, Stay Sober and Just Drive" program is designed for high-school aged students who are new behind the wheel.  This presentation introduces students to the 7 deadly hazards of younger drivers specifically focusing on distracted driving, impaired driving and safety belt use.  Students learn about the dangerous of unsafe driving behaviors through interactive activities and realistic videos.  Presentations can be tailored to any group size and setting.   

Annual Teen Traffic Safety Day Events

Teen drivers and passengers are the most at risk for being involved in motor vehicle crashes. The overall goal of Teen Traffic Safety Day event is to reduce the number of teens injured or killed in motor vehicle crashes by addressing areas of concern such as impaired driving (drugs and alcohol), distracted driving (cell phone use/texting) and lack of seat belt use.  High school students from Broome County and beyond have an opportunity to participate in a full day of fun yet educational and impactful traffic safety activities and speakers.  The event has grown tremendously in the last five years with 17 school districts and over 650 students attending last year.  If your school is interested in participating, please email Christine Muss at cmuss@co.broome.ny.us.

2017 Teen Traffic Safety Day Event Flyer

Car Fit Events

CarFit is an educational program that provides a quick, yet comprehensive review of how well you and your vehicle work together. The program, which was developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance your driving safety and increase mobility.

We Change as We Age:

As we age, changes in vision, flexibility, strength, range of motion and height may make us less comfortable and reduce our control behind the wheel. Older drivers may need to find ways to cope with physical changes that include:

• Reduced strength and physical endurance.
• Visual impairments, including problems with depth perception, high and low-contrast vision, night vision and delayed recovery from glare.
• Reduced overall range of motion and flexibility.
• Stiff neck, limited head rotation or pain.
• Effects of medications.

CarFit is a free, interactive and educational program designed to improve older driver safety.  Trained volunteers provide information to ensure the safest "fit" for older drivers and their vehicles.  Interested in hosting a CarFit event?  Give us a call!   607-778-2807

Motorcycle Safety

Motorcycles provide a fuel efficient and economical means of transportation.  Their popularity for recreation, touring and commuting continues to grow.  However, riding can be very dangerous as it does not provide the same amount of protection in a crash as vehicles do.  Motorcyclists and motorists must work together to keep everyone safe on the road.  Drivers should be actively "looking" for bikers during prime riding season since they are smaller and harder to see.  Motorcyclists should follow all traffic laws and signs and wear appropriate protective gear.  

Help us spread our message!  Display a "Watch for Motorcycles" lawn sign in your yard or place of business!  Just call 607-778-2807 for FREE signs! 

Child Passenger Safety

Parents and caregivers may also be eligible to participate in the Free Child Safety Seat Distribution Program.  NEW REQUIREMENTS: This is an educational program so although clients must receiving services from either WIC, DSS, Catholic Charities, the PACT Program, etc... to qualify, they must also now participate in an in-classroom training prior to receiving their seat. Classroom trainings are offered twice a month at the Broome County Health Department.   After completing the classroom training, you will be scheduled for your hands-on appoinmtent to receive your free child safety seat at one of our three locations:  Broome County Sheriff's Office, Union Volunteer Emergency Squad or the Endicott Fire Station.   We cannot accomodate "last-minute" or "emergency situations," so be sure to give us ample time to schedule your appointment.   

Child Safety Seat Check Events:

During child safety seat check events, Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to help educate families and caregivers on child passenger safety.  Technicians will ensure that the seat is appropriate for your child based on age, height and weight and facing the correct direction; that the seat is properly installed in the correct location in the vehicle using either the LATCH or vehicle's seat belt system; that the child is properly harnessed and can answer any questions or concerns a parent or caregiver may have.  Child safety seat check events are FREE. No appointment is necessary.  Participants are assisted on a first come, first served basis.  Be sure to bring the child, the seat, your vehicle manual and the manual for your child safety seat.  

Upcoming Car Seat Check Events:

Saturday, April 14th 

10AM-1PM

Annual Children's Fair - SUNY Broome (near Student Center)

907 Front Street, Binghamton

Click here for flyer.

Saturday, May 5th

10AM-2PM

Police Week - Oakdale Mall ( near Reynolds Road entrance)

601 Harry L Drive, Johnson City 

Click here for our flyer.

Our Programs:

AAA Northway

• By appointment only.
• Located at 3701 Vestal Parkway East, Suite 9, Vestal
• Please calle (607) 722-7255 to schedule an appointment.

Binghamton Police Department

• By appointment only.
• 38 Hawley Street, Binghamton
• Please call (607) 772-7077 for schedule an apppointment. 

Broome County Health Department Fitting Station:

• Held monthly by appointment only
• Located at the Broome County Sheriff's Office
• 155 Lt. Van Winkle Drive, Binghamton
• Please call Christine Muss at 607.778.2807 to schedule an appointment.

Endicott Fire Department Fitting Station:

• By appointment only
• Located at 1101 Park Street, Endicott
• Please call (607) 757.2466 to schedule an appointment.

Union Volunteer Emergency Squad, Inc. Fitting Station

• By appointment only
• Located at 8 South Avenue B, Endwell
• Please call Sharon Gumaer at 607.754-3414 ext. 223 or visit www.unionems.com to schedule an appointment.

Vestal Police Department Fitting Station

• By appointment only
• Located at 605 Vestal Parkway West, Vestal
• Please call 607.754.2386 x 481 to schedule your appointment.

 New York State Police Fitting Station

• By appointment only
• Please call either 607.561-7605 or 607.775-1241 to schedule an appointment.

For additional details please check out our Child Passenger Safety Brochure.

Did you know?

• New York State law requires children to be riding in an appropriate child restraint system until their 8th birthday.
• Alway read the manual for the car seat AND the manual for your vehicle before attempting to install your car seat.  Follow the manufacturer's instructions.  If you are unsure about your installation, contact a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.  
• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should ride rear-facing for as long as possible, until they exceed the weight and height limits of their seat.  At a minimum, children should be age 2 before they ride forward-facing.
• In general, car seats expire after 6 years.  Always check the date of manufacture.
• Do not modify your car seat.  Modifications can compromise the safety of your child.  Always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions in the manual and the stickers on the seat.
• The safest place to install a child safety seat is in the back seat in the middle position.  Always read your vehicle's owners manual for specific instructions.
• Once your seat is installed by either using the seat belt system OR the LATCH system, it should be tight enough where it does not move more than 1 inch from side-to-side or from front-to-back at the belt path.

Resources:

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

Kids Be a Smart Bicyclist!

• Always wear a bicycle helmet.  Helmets can reduce the risk of head and brain injury by 85%. 
• Wear white or bright clothing so you can be seen.  Avoid loose clothes, drawstrings and backpacks with straps that can get caught in the bike.  Wear retroreflective materials at dawn, dusk and in bad weather.
• Always stop, look left, right then left again before crossing or entering a path, driveway, sidewalk or road and continue looking as your cross. 
• Obey all traffic signs and signals.  Remember a bicycle is just a like a car and needs to follow all of the same rules of the road. 
• Ride your bicycle on the right side of the road with traffic.  Ride in a straight line and always use hand signals. 

Be a Smart Pedestrian!

Did you know that 300 pedestrians are killed annually across New York State.  In Broome County, 97 pedestrians were injured and 4 were killed in 2016.  

Pedestrians should follow the "Rules of the Road"

• Use the sidewalk whenever they are safely available.
• When sidewalks are unavailable, pedestrians must walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
• Obey traffic signals and/or traffic officers.
• At crosswalks where there isn't a traffic control signal or officer, pedestrians have the right-of-way to all vehicles.  
• Regardless of the right-of-way, the driver is required by law to take great care to avoid "hitting" pedestrians.  

Top Tips for Kids!

• Be sure to look left, right then left again before crossing the street.
• Put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street.
• Children under 10 need to cross the street with an adult.  Most kids are unable to judge speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.

Check out these great resources:

AAA Brochure - So Your Child Wants a Bike, Now What?

NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee- New York State Pedestrian Laws

Safe Kids Worldwide - Walking Safely Tips

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Older Driver Safety

The number of older drivers is increasing.  Research suggests that older drivers are among the safest drivers because they wear their seat belts, and are less likely to speed or drink and drive.  However, they are more likely to suffer serious injuries or risk death in crashes due to greater fragility.  Personal mobility is critical for healthy aging but ill-fitting vehicles can make it uncomfortable and unsafe for drivers.  Today's vehicles have many safety features, yet many drivers are unaware of how best to use them.  CarFit helps explore vehicle adjustments and develop strategies to achieve your safest fit. 

What is CarFit?

CarFit is an educational program that provides a quick, yet comprehensive review of how well you and your vehicle work together.  The program, which was developed by AAA, AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association, also provides information and materials on community-specific resources that could enhance your driving safety and increase mobility. 

Does Your Vehicle Fit?

CarFit addresses things such as:

• Line of sight
• Airbags
• Head restraints
• Gas & brake pedals
• Safety belts
• Mirror positioning
• Adaptive devices

Click here for CarFit Brochure

Take advantage of CarFit today!  A trained CarFit Technician will ask you several simple questions and complete a 12-point check list.  The entire process takes about 20 minutes and you leave with recommended car adjustments and adaptations, a list of local resources in your area and greater peace of mind.

Quick Facts:

How does driving change as we age?

• At age 40                            Mental sharpness begins to diminish, thought processing slows, multitasking is more challenging, night vision worsens and recovery from glare is reduced.
• At age 50                            Nine in 10 people require bifocals and reaction time slows.
• Between ages 30 & 60         Muscle strength and range of motion can decrease up to 40 percent.
• At age 70                            Arthritic joints may make movement painful and restrict mobility and conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, hypertension and diabetes may affect how we interpret and react to the driving environment. 

Six Tips for Driving Wellness

1. Give Driving Your Full Attention - eliminate distractions, stay mentally sharp, talk to your doctor about medications that affect your alertness, don't drink alcohol and drive
2. Maintain Your Strength, Flexibility and Endurance for the On-The-Road Demands - stay physically active and stretch every day
3. Eat Healthy Foods, Drink Water and Eat Smaller Food Portions for Sharp Minds and Eyes - drink water throughout the day and eat various foods with a wide range of vitamins
4. Get Plenty of Sleep and Rest
5. Follow Safety Procedures - use your seat belt!
6. Take Care of Your Eyes - wear sunglasses, avoid smoking and visit your eye care professional annually

Click on the following links for additional information about driving with certain health conditions:

Driving with Cataracts

Driving with Macular Degeneration

Driving with Alzheimer's

Driving with Arthritis

Driving with Sleep Apnea

Driving with Stroke

Driving with Diabetes

For more information on Older Driver Safety visit:

CarFit

www.carfit.org

NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

https://www.ny.gov/safe-driving-tips-older-new-yorkers/older-driver-safety 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/older-drivers

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What Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles

1.  Over half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle.  Most of the time, the motorist, not the motorcyclist, is at fault.  

2.  Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car's blind spot or masked by objects (bushes, fences, etc).  Take an extra moment to look before changing lanes or turning at intersections.

3.  Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is.  It also may be difficult to judge a motocycle's speed.  

4.  Motorcyclists often slow down by downshifting or rolling off of the throttle, thus not activating the brake.  Allow more following distance and predict that a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.

5.  Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles and wind.  They are not trying to be reckless or show off.

6.  Turn signals on a motorcycle are usually not self-canceling so some riders may forget to turn them off.  Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.

7.  Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, expecially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.

8.  Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult.  Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle.

9.  When a motorcycle is in motion, see more than the motorcycle - see the person under the helmet, who could be your friend, neighbor or relative.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

• Always wear an approved helmet and eye protection. "Novelty Helmets" offer little protection and are illegal to wear in NYS.
• Always wear high quality riding gear designed to protect a rider during a fall.  
• Wear high visibility vests, garmets with reflectorized features and accessories to help you be more visible to drivers.  
• Mantain your motorcycle.  Be sure lights and horn are working and mirrors are adjusted properly.  Tires should be properly inflated and have legal tread depth.
• Be alert.  Scan the road constantly.  
• NEVER ride impaired.  
• Share the road safelty with othe roadway users.  
• Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left.  If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look to make sure it is safe to proceed.
• SLOW DOWN!  Speed is the number one cause of traffic crashes.  
• Allow adequate space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
• Observe and obey all traffic laws, signs and signals.
• Let other motorists know your intentions. Signal or use hand signals when turning.  

For more information, visit:

Motorcycle Safety Foundation msf-usa.org 

NYS Govenor's Traffic Safety Committee - www.safeny.ny.gov/mcyc-ndx.htm 

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Traffic Safety Education Program Contact Information:

Christine Muss - Traffic Safety Coordinator

(607) 778-2807

cmuss@co.broome.ny.us