Safety Programs

Safety Tips

Safety Tips for Drivers

Put yourself in pedestrians' 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 before backing up. Continue to look for pedestrians while you are backing up.
• Although older adults make up only 13% of New York City's population, they make up 33% of New York City's pedestrian deaths. If older adults or others with special needs are crossing at an intersection, be patient and give them a break.
• 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.
• One-third of all pedestrian injuries happen after dark. Be sure to use your headlights beginning at dusk and during foul weather.

Use 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 8 in a car seat or booster seat.

It's the law in New York State:

• 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 the age of 8 must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle
• 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

A child restraint system may be a child safety seat, harness, vest or a booster seat. The vehicle's safety belt alone is NOT a child restraint system. Kids come in all shapes and sizes, and not all boosters will fit all children the same way. Parents must find the right fit for their child.
Get more information from Safe Kids USA.
Visit the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee for detailed information on the child seat law.
For more tips, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Child Passenger Safety site or the National Safe Kids Campaign.

Make sure your Child's Car Seat is Installed Correctly

Is your child car seat installed properly? 9 out of 10 car seats are not. Call to arrange a free inspection at a DOT Child Car Seat Fitting Station. A trained car seat technician will check your seat and demonstrate correct installation. Please note that we cannot accept walk-ins.
Free bicycle helmet fittings are also available at these locations.

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 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.

Matthew Norton, age 13, Brooklyn

Hamza Shabbir, age 7, Brooklyn

Don't Drive While Intoxicated

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 to 180 days or probation and a mandatory fine of $500–1000 a day

Don't Use 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.

Yield to Pedestrians

Over one-half of pedestrian fatalities occur at intersections with traffic signals. It's the law in New York

• When making a turn, drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk
• At a red light or stop sign, drivers must 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

Olivia Duong, age 12, Queens

Na'im Wyatte, age 8, Bronx

Safety Tips for 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Look in all directions before you begin to cross, even if there is a green light or a walk signal in your direction. 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.
• Look at the driver of a turning vehicle before you cross. Make eye contact with each other before you step off the curb.

It can be 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. In 1998, one of every 10 pedestrians killed were under the influence of alcohol, other drugs (including prescription medication), or a combination of both.

Xanadu Prunz, age 8, Manhattan

Oscar Moran, age 6, Queens