Safety Tips
...On Seat Belts and Car Seats
Last year in New York City 2 out of 3 people killed in traffic crashes were not wearing their safety belts. When used correctly, safety belts double your chances of surviving a serious car crash. To reduce risks of serious injury, always wear your safety belt and keep about 10 inches between yourself and the airbag compartment.
Never place a rear-facing infant seat in the front passenger seat if there is an air bag. The back seat is the safest place for children to sit. Make sure they are properly restrained, either buckled into a safety belt if they are under age 7 in a car seat or booster seat.
It's the LAW in New York:
- All front seat occupants must buckle up;
- All children under 16 years of age, in the front and back seat, must buckle up;
- All children under 7 must be buckled into a federally-approved appropriate child restraint system;
- Drivers can receive a fine of up to $100 and three points against their license if a passenger under age 16 is not properly restrained.
Visit the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee for detailed information on the child seat law. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Child Passenger Safety Web Site or the National Safe Kids Campaign's Web site.
Is your child car seat installed properly? 9 out of 10 car seats are not. Find out if yours is.
Call for an appointment for a FREE inspection at a DOT Child Car Seat Fitting Station:
| Queens |
Forest Park
107-02 Myrtle Avenue
Richmond Hill
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(718) 805-4510 |
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| Manhattan |
Greenwich Street between Park Place & Barclay St.
672 West 158th Street |
(212) 839-2200
(212) 795-3046 |
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| Bronx |
837 Brush Avenue |
(718) 822-4116 |
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| Brooklyn |
Woodhull Hospital,
760 Broadway |
(718) 963-6858 |
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| Staten Island |
Michael J. Petrides Complex,
715 Ocean Terrace |
(718) 390-5150 |
A trained car seat technician will check your seat and demonstrate correct installation. This service is free of charge. Please note that we cannot accept walk-ins. It is necessary to call to make an appointment.
Come to a free car seat check on Saturday, June 14, at Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem, 2485 Second Avenue at 127th Street, Manhattan, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. No appointment is necessary.
If your car does not have lap and shoulder belts in the back seat, you may be able to retrofit your car with shoulder belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site can provide you with information and contacts for retrofitting your car. Other options include travel vests or higher weight car safety seats that may be used with lap belts only. Information on travel vests and car seats is found in the 2007 Buyer’s Guide.
Free bicycle helmet fittings are also available at these locations.
...On Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
It's the LAW in New York:
- Your license will be immediately suspended if your BAC (the measured amount of alcohol in your blood) is .08 or higher;
- Refusal to submit to a chemical test is a separate administrative proceeding that will result in revocation of your driver’s license and an administrative fine in addition to any penalty for DWI;
- Conviction for driving while intoxicated while your license is suspended or revoked for a DWI or DWAI (Drinking With Ability Impaired) violation or a chemical test refusal results in a mandatory jail term of 7 - 180 days or probation and a mandatory fine of $500 - $1,000 a day.
...On using a Cell Phone While Driving
- New York State law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones while driving on all public roads, except in the case of an emergency. This law was designed to reduce traffic accidents and save lives. The law allows the use of hands-free equipment that allows drivers to operate the vehicle without picking up the phone.
...On Yielding To Pedestrians
Fact: Over one-half of pedestrian fatalities occur at intersections with traffic signals.
It’s the LAW in New York:
- When making a turn, yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk;
- At a red light or STOP sign, come to complete stop before you get to the crosswalk;
- Violation of these laws could cost you a $100 fine and 3 points on your license.
Fact: New York City leads the nation in the number of pedestrians killed in motor vehicle crashes. In 1998, one of every 10 pedestrians killed were under the influence of alcohol, other drugs (including prescription medication), or a combination of both.
Helpful Tips:
- Give yourself the most time to cross by waiting for a newly turned green or walk signal;
- Stop and look in all directions before you cross. Keep scanning for vehicles as you cross;
- Wear light colored clothing, use reflective material, carry a flashlight, hold your hand up high: do whatever it takes to make yourself more visible to drivers;
- Wear light colored clothing, use reflective material, carry a flashlight, hold your hand up high: do whatever it takes to make yourself more visible to drivers.
Depend On Each Other!
Did You Know?:
- Every New Yorker is a pedestrian at one time or another. All trips by car, subway, bus or bicycle include a walking component.
- Children and older adults are at highest risk for pedestrian injury and death.
Matthew Norton, age 13, Brooklyn
Pedestrian injuries and fatalities ARE preventable.
Whenever and wherever you cross, Do It The Safer Way!
- STOP at the curb before entering the street.
Oscar Moran, age 6, Queens
- LOOK in all directions before you begin to cross, even if there is a green light or a WALK signal in your direction.
- WAIT for a fresh WALK signal so you'll have the most time to cross the street.
- KEEP LOOKING in all directions while you cross the street.
- LISTEN FOR THE ENGINE NOISES of backing vehicles when you're in a parking lot, near a driveway or crossing mid-block between parked cars.
Hamza Shabbir, age 7, Brooklyn
Expect the Unexpected!
Always be aware of what's happening around you, and what may happen next.
- LOOK AT THE DRIVER of a turning vehicle before you cross. Make eye contact with each other before you step off the curb.
- HOLD YOUR HAND UP HIGH or even wave at the driver if you have to. Drivers: Wave back at pedestrians to let them know you've seen them.
- WEAR LIGHT OR BRIGHT clothing and attach retro-reflective material to bags, backpacks and shoes so drivers will notice you. Use a flashlight at night.
Xanadu Prunz, age 8, Manhattan
One-third of all pedestrian injuries happen after dark.
- DRIVERS: Be sure to use your headlights during a storm. Use them during daytime hours, too. This will make your car more visible to pedestrians and other drivers.
Drivers & Pedestrians: Are You Under the Influence?:
Both drivers and pedestrians can be under the influence of drugs, medications, fatigue, emotional or physical stress that can impair their ability to drive a vehicle or cross a street safely.
- Approximately one of every 10 pedestrians killed in collisions with motor vehicles each year in New York City are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.
- About one of every 5 drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes each year are under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs.
Remember:
It is just as deadly to walk under the influence as it is to drive under the influence. If you are under the influence or are taking medication that makes you drowsy or dizzy, walk with someone who is alert or wait until you feel more alert yourself.
Olivia Duong, age 12, Queens
Pedestrians:
Put Yourself in the Driver's Seat!
- Drivers don't expect to see you step out from between parked cars. Move out to the edge of the parked cars. Then stop, look and listen before you cross.
- Think about this: A vehicle traveling at 30 mph may need 125 feet to come to a complete stop. Avoid darting out into the street!
- Check to see that no vehicles are coming before you push your stroller into the street.
Na'im Wyatte, age 8 Bronx
- Be especially careful crossing streets during inclement weather. Drivers may not be able to stop in time.
- Large vehicles need a lot of room to turn; beware of back wheels mounting the sidewalk.
Drivers:
Put Yourself in Their Shoes!
- When making a turn, look for both traffic and pedestrians. Remember: cars are easier to see than people walking. Always look for pedestrians and yield to them when making a turn.
- Watch out for pedestrians when backing up in roadways, parking lots or driveways. Continue to look for pedestrians while you are backing up.
- If older adults or others with special needs are crossing at an intersection, be patient and give them a break.
- Although older adults make up only 13% of NYC's population, they make up 33% of NYC's pedestrian deaths.
- Be especially alert for sudden dart-outs in areas where children play or walk to school.
- Give pedestrians some extra space. Stop before the crosswalk, not in it.
- Observe the speed limit.
You can't control New York City traffic. You can control the way you drive!
