William Johnson, Administrator

The Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board (DCTSB) is a coalition of law enforcement, education, health and service agencies and individuals committed to ensuring that our streets, sidewalks, and residents remain safe.  The major activities of the Traffic Safety Board in 2010 include:

• Educating the public about safe driving, bicycling, and walking habits. Programming focused on aggressive driving, the special needs of mature/older drivers, and proper bicycling and pedestrian behaviors and safety. 
  
  
• Support of local law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of crashes related to aggressive driving and excessive speed.
  
  
• Selective Traffic Enforcement  Support of law enforcement efforts to increase compliance with NY State seat belt law in coordination with the statewide Buckle Up New York “BUNY” campaign. 
  
  
• Provided training opportunities in proper child passenger safety seat installations, coordinated seat check events, and distributed required materials throughout the county in an effort to improve the safety of our youngest residents.
  
  
• Managed the organization and dissemination of traffic and crash statistics from police agencies throughout the County. 
  
  
• Distribution of educational information and safety equipment (bicycle helmets, reflective materials, car seats) to county residents in support of on-going education and safety programs. 
  

The Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board (DCTSB) was awarded $283,077 in grant funding for 2010 through the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC). This funding compares to a total of $262,082 in 2009, $215,197 in 2008, $219,226 in 2007, $170,398 in 2006, $159,280 in 2005, $222,885 in 2004, $210,000 in 2003, $185,833 in 2002, and $85,000 in 2001.

At the conclusion of the 2010 grant cycle the DCTSB has submitted claims/ vouchers totaling $262,043 to the GTSC for related grant projects, leaving a balance of $21,034 unrealized.  

The DCTSB was awarded grant funding from the NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee in four (4) grant areas.   

*Programming activities are outlined for each grant.

Buckle Up New York: (BUNY)

The DCTSB was fortunate to receive grant monies totaling $82,620 for the “Buckle Up New York” occupant restraint enforcement program. Enforcement activities conducted throughout the County have exceeded our objectives and have proven to be productive and successful. The BUNY program is comprised of two operational components. First, a high visibility enforcement period or “wave” (May 24th – June 6th 2010) funded at $27,450 and an “expanded enforcement” component allowing enforcement details to be conducted throughout the year (PRIOR TO April 30th) at the individual agency’s discretion funded at $55,170 for the project.

The Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board's (DCTSB) "BUNY" Block grant  provided allocations to fourteen (14) law enforcement agencies. Funding was again performance based and focused on each agency's previous production, ability to spend allocations, and accurate/ timely submission of required reporting.

Allocations were awarded for each of the two enforcement components and claims /vouchers were processed totaling $77,466 were submitted to GTSC leaving unrealized revenue totaling $5,152 for the project. 

Consolidated data from the 2010 program year reveals that participating agencies conducted 1,703 hours of combined enforcement details, which resulted in the issuance of 1,766 seat belt tickets (1,395 drivers, 206 passengers, 56 children) and citations for 715 other V&T violations.

Child Passenger Safety Grant: (CPS)

The Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board's (DCTSB) Child Passenger Safety programming remains on schedule and continues to be successful. The DCTSB received grant funding totaling $18,300 and submitted claims totaling $17,551 to GTSC for reimbursement.

Through additional grant funding from GTSC (paid directly to the CPS instructors) the DCTSB sponsored one CPS technician certification class held at the East Clinton Fire Station in April/May 2010. The class concluded with a DC Coalition seat check event

The DCTSB continues to take the leadership role with the Dutchess County CPS Coalition. As the coalition continues to meet we hope to draw in other agencies/members to enhance programming county-wide. With 16 fitting stations located throughout the county the coalition offers a venue to coordinate activities, enhance communications, and share information and resources.

A list-serve address http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dutchessCPS has been established to keep members aware of developments, events, and other activities. The most exciting aspect of the CPS program in Dutchess County is the continued interagency cooperation and professionalism exhibited by all of the participating agencies, technicians, and support staff.

The DCTSB and the participating fitting stations (8) covered under the “block” grant sponsored multiple seat check events throughout the grant cycle and thousands of pieces of PI & E materials were distributed. CPS technicians were available throughout the event to provide information and proper instruction to parents and caregivers. Display posters were developed and multiple press releases were distributed regarding the CPS program, fitting station contact information, and an explanation of the “WHALE” program.

The DCTSB purchased / distributed child safety seats throughout the program year at a number of seat check events and through the fitting stations covered under the “block” grant. Seat check event banners and a variety of educational materials were reproduced and distributed throughout the grant cycle.

County-wide data collected from all the CPS fitting stations (16) reveals that in the 2010 grant cycle more than 1,710 child safety seats were inspected, and installed, and 695  seats were distributed to parents/families in need. When compared to the data from the previous four years there is evidence of continued programmatic growth and need within the community.

Selective Traffic Enforcement Program:   STEP

The DCTSB received a grant totaling $109,172 for the STEP program in the 2010 grant cycle. Fifteen (15) Law Enforcement agencies received allocations for targeted enforcement activities.  The grant included a $17,372 utilized for related equipment appropriations to nine law enforcement agencies and $91,800 in enforcement monies.

The following law enforcement agencies (8) received equipment appropriations for the purchase of identified speed related (radar) instruments; T/O Poughkeepsie, C/O Poughkeepsie, C/O Beacon, the DC Sheriff’s Office, T/O East Fishkill, T/O Hyde Park, T/O Fishkill, V/O Wappingers Falls.
 
STEP enforcement activities throughout Dutchess County targeted unsafe driving behaviors including speeding, aggressive driving, red light running, unsafe lane change, failure to yield, and following to closely. Unsafe speed continues to be the most dominate contributing factor in crashes in Dutchess County.

STEP programming was very successful and resulted in exceptional productivity. Participating agencies were required to submit reporting data along with any billings/claims.

Consolidated reporting data reveals that 1,989 hours of combined enforcement activities resulted in the issuance of 1,333 speed related citations, 763 tickets for aggressive driving, 183 tickets for driver inattention, 227 cell phone, and 800 other V&T violations.

Claims for the grant cycle totaled $101,661 leaving an unrealized balance of $7,511.  

Enforcement & Injury Prevention Grant:

The Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board's (DCTSB) Enforcement and Injury Prevention programming and related grant activities have also been successful.

Bicycle / Helmet Safety:

Helmets were purchased from Bell Sports through the National SAFE Kids coalition.and have been distributed throughout the grant cycle. Aproximately 400 helmets were distributed in many venues throughout the county to both children and adults in need. Many positive contacts were made, the majority with youth, and healthy and safe pedestrian and bicycling habits were encouraged.  

The DCTSB also conducted/supported more than 14  bicycle /helmet safety presentations at various elementary schools and after school programs, and summer recreation programs  throughout the county. In select elementary schools administrators and school nurses helped to identify at risk kids and the DCTSB fitted these children (famlies) with helmets prior to the end of the school year.

The DCTSB organized, conducted/supported 10 bicycle safety rodeos in various municipalities, elementary schools, and summer camps throughout the County. Additionally, six (6) scheduled events were cancelled due to inclement weather. The Bicycle safety trailer, and all essential materials is loaned to interested parties (law enforcement agencies, schools, PTA’s, municipal recreational summer camp programs, and other community groups) to assist with presentations and skill events. Bicycle helmets, as well as educational and reflective safety materials were distributed to children (and parents) that participated.

The DCTSB has also deveolped a guide entitled "Organizing a Bicycle Safety Rodeo" to encourage use of the bicycle safety trailer and to assist interested parties with conducting successful rodeos.

Mature/Older Driver Education Program:

Public information and educational materials were purchased for our Mature/Older Driver Education Program. These materials relating to older mature driver mobility and handicapped parking were distributed throughout the County at a multitude of senior related events including Health and Safety fairs,  AARP presentations at a local mall and hospital, and through the Dutchess County Office of the Aging (DC-OFA) at their senior picnics during the summer and fall.

The DCTSB continues collaboration with the DC-OFA to identify opportunities to raise awareness of resources available to assist seniors and their famlies regarding mobility concerns.

The DC-OFA  senior picnics provide a great opportunity to share information to concerned seniors about safe driving and handicapped parking issues. The Dutchess County Sheriff's Office also distributed Older/Mature driving PI&E materials at the Dutchess County Fair and at the annual "Golden Gathering" event co-sponsored and attended by Senator Steven Saland. 

School Bus Safety Education Campaign:

The DCTSB continues to provide support for a School Bus Safety awareness/education campaign. Additional copies of a video (identified  after an extensive search for a quality educational video aimed at elementary age students) entitled “School Bus Safety for Kids” (produced by Video Communications) were purchased along with coloring books that were distributed throughout 8 school districts in the county. School resource and district safety officers were provided the materials (including teaching guides) to conduct awareness presentations with students grade K – 5. Related PI & E materials were also distributed at various safety events and presentations conducted throughout the year.

Two award plaques were also purchased for the ninth annual Dutchess County “School Bus Driver of the Year” award. The award program was expanded to include Ulster County two years ago and respective awards were presented at Operation Safe STOP Press conferences held at the NY State Police Barracks Troop K, and the Ulster County Law Enforcement Center in Kingston. The winners were selected by the Awards Committee of the Mid Hudson Chapter of the Transportation Supervisor’s Association.

Dutchess County’s ninth annual award was presented to Ms. Sheri Woolley from the Arlington CSD, a model school bus driver who over 22 years.  Ulster County’s recipient was equally deserving of recognition; Mrs. Jean Bain a driver from Ulster County BOCES with 13yrs experience. Both award winners are dedicated professionals with exemplary safety records. 

Multiple press releases were issued to raise awareness of the program, “Operation Safe Stop”, and the award winners.  This program continues to be a great collaborative effort which includes local law enforcement, the Mid Hudson Chapter of the Pupil Transportation Supervisors Association, and the Dutchess and Ulster County Traffic Safety Boards.