ALBANY—State Police issued a total of 12,975 tickets statewide during this year’s special Thanksgiving holiday traffic enforcement period.
The Thanksgiving enforcement period began Wednesday, November 24 and continued through Sunday, November 28.
During the campaign, which was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, State Police used sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and ticketed distracted drivers who used handheld electronic devices.
Troopers arrested 183 people for DWI and investigated 1,041 crashes, including 1 fatal crash.
As part of the enforcement, troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Below is a breakdown of the total tickets that were issued: speeding 4,609; distracted driving 440; seatbelt violations 1,526 and Move Over Law violations 119.
During the 2020 Thanksgiving holiday enforcement campaign, the State Police issued 13,887 total tickets and arrested 155 people for DWI.
The results of the campaign for Troop K, Lower Hudson Valley are: speed 771, DWI arrests 28, distracted driving 55, child restraint/seat belt 80 and Move Over 11.
Firefighters get new Silverado
Members of the A.B. Shaw Fire Company pose with their new fire police/utility vehicle, recently delivered to the fire district. Photo contributed
CLAVERACK—The Claverack Fire District recently took delivery of a new 2021 Chevy Silverado utility vehicle. The new response vehicle will be used primarily by the department’s Fire Police unit, replacing an old SUV that was donated to fire district some years ago. The new vehicle will provide a more reliable response and improve scene safety with its updated light and striping packages. It will also be used by the department to respond to brush fires, flooded basements and for other general purposes.
The purchase was made possible, in part, by donations made to the A.B. Shaw Fire Company.
Toys for Tots still needed
State Police in Troop K are partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps to help local children. Photo contributed
SALT POINT—Once again State Police in Troop K are joining forces with the United States Marine Corps to collect donated children’s toys as part of the national Toys for Tots program this holiday season.
Between now and December 17, people can drop off new, unwrapped toys at Troop K Headquarters, SP Poughkeepsie, 2541 Route 44 or any of the local Troop K barracks. Representatives of the Marine Corps will pick up the toys for distribution to area children.
All 18 Troop K stations located in Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess and Columbia counties are participating in the initiative. Zone 1 Stations in Columbia County are at Livingston, 3353 Route 9; Kinderhook Village Hall, Route 9, and New Lebanon, Route 20. The phone number for these stations is 518-851-3111.
DMV, DEC warn motorists to watch for deer, moose
ALBANY—Deer and moose are most active during fall months, posing increased risk of crashes.
Art by Jean Gawalt
The State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminded drivers that deer and moose become more active and are more likely to enter public roadways in the fall. During the months of October, November, and December, it is breeding season and the animals are more visible. According to the University at Albany’s Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, 43% of the crashes in 2020 between deer and vehicles occurred during this three-month span. Motorists should also be alert for moose on roadways in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas this time of year.
“During the fall months, motorists should drive with extra caution to help avoid collisions with deer and moose. Be on the lookout for deer-crossing signs along roadways. They indicate deer have been seen at that location and have collided with cars there. Those signs are meant to warn you to be extra cautious when driving through such locations,” DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said in a press release.
Motorists should be aware animals are especially active at dawn and dusk when visibility may be reduced and commuter traffic may be heavy. The DEC recommends these precautions motorists can take to reduce the chance of hitting a deer or moose:
• Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides. Deer can “bolt” or change direction at the last minute
• If you see a deer go across the road, decrease speed and be careful. Deer travel in groups so expect other deer to follow
• Use emergency lights or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when deer are seen on or near the road
• Use caution on roadways marked with deer crossing signs
• Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, when animal movement is at its highest and visibility is reduced
If you encounter an animal on the roadway, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a collision with another vehicle, a tree, a pole, or other objects.
If you do strike an animal, DEC advises motorists to stay away from the animal. A frightened, wounded deer or moose could use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to harm you.
Other tips if you strike or encounter an animal include:
• Move your vehicle to a safe place. If possible, pull over to the side of the road, and turn on your hazard lights. If you must leave your vehicle, stay off the road and out of the way of any oncoming vehicles. If a collision occurs at dusk or dawn, remember you could be less visible to traffic.
• Call the police. Alert authorities if the animal is blocking traffic and creating a threat for other drivers. If the collision results in injury, death or more than $1,000 in property damage, you must fill out an official crash report and send it to DMV.
Early fall is the breeding season for moose in northern New York. During this time moose are wandering looking for mates, leading them to areas where they are not typically seen. While this improves the opportunities for people to enjoy moose sightings, it also increases the danger of colliding with one on the roadway.
Moose are much larger and taller than deer. Their large body causes greater damage, and, when struck, their height often causes them to impact the windshield of a car or pickup truck, not just the front of the vehicle. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and their height—which puts their head and much of their body above vehicle headlights.
More information about moose and deer can be found at www.dec.ny.gov.