picture of truck picture of speedometer Traffic Safety Digest Summer 2003
 
Project Characteristics
Innovative
Program Areas
Multicultural Outreach
Type of Jurisdiction
State
Targeted Population
Private Sector
Jurisdiction Size
18,976,457
Funding
Section 402: $1500 (average)
State: $1500 (average)
Contact
Richard Devlin
NY Gov. Traffic Safety Comm. 
Swan St. Bldg. - Ste. 414
Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY 12228
(518) 474-5111

Digest Listing

     

NEW YORK
Partners for Safety

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

The State of New York, with a fatality rate of 1.18 per one thousand, a seat belt usage rate of 83 percent, and one of the best alcohol deterrence programs in the country, has long been a recognized leader in traffic safety excellence. Nevertheless, traffic accidents cost the state approximately $13,100,000 annually and result in an average of 1,541 deaths and 292,660 injuries.

In New York State, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) has primary oversight for coordinating state and local initiatives. Each year, GTSC processes approximately 800 grants in support of these initiatives that impact hundreds of thousands of residents. Although these programs have resulted in a significant decrease in injuries and deaths, GTSC realizes that grant-funded programs can be supplemented and enhanced by non-traditional, non-funded partners.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Partners in Safety program is to encourage private-sector involvement in traffic safety issues and to promote interaction between the public and private sectors.

The program objectives are to:

  • Raise community awareness of private sector involvement in traffic safety;

  • Provide recognition to private sector companies and corporations; and

  • Increase the number of partners from the private sector.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

Each year the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles sends a letter to all grantees and other public partners, such as the regional NHTSA office, requesting nominees for the Partners for Safety Awards. The following activities are performed after selecting the nominees:

  • A committee comprised of GTSC staff chooses the winners.

  • Two or three representatives from the selected corporations are invited to a special awards luncheon. At the luncheon, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles presents a plaque to each Partners for Safety winner. Photographs with the Commissioner are also taken and forwarded to each winning corporation.

  • Each year the names of the winning corporations are added to a large plaque on permanent display in the Department of Motor Vehicle building. Winners can visit the building the day they receive their award.

RESULTS

Since the inception of the Partners for Safety Awards in 1996, 27 corporations and businesses of have been recognized. The varied recipients have been from media, hospitals, insurance companies, and a variety of corporations. Some specific recipients include:

  • CVS Pharmacies — for sponsoring an Emergency Response and Motorist Assistance program.

  • SEARS — for yearly sponsorship of Summer Safety Programs.

  • El Aguila Publications — for providing free traffic safety advertisements targeted to the Latino population.

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield — for sponsoring a child passenger safety study and a number of check-up events.

  • GE Plastics — for ongoing sponsorship of traffic safety within the corporation and the community.
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