OVERVIEW:
The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is a partnership of agencies and individuals working to identify priority traffic safety problems and plan viable solutions in order to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the road in St. Lawrence County.
What Traffic Safety Offers Too Public:
The Traffic Safety Program is here for the general public to help teach and inform them of any traffic related topic. With the program we are able to offer presentations on traffic safety topics, (teen driver safety, older drivers, car seat safety, bicycle safety, etc.) to any company, school, or agency that would like to have a speaker or any information regarding Traffic Safety. To request a speaker contact:
Melissa Button, Coordinator, (STOP DWI, Traffic Safety)
Carrie Conger, Traffic Safety Information Specialist
80 State Highway 310, Canton New York 13617-1493
Phone: (315) 386-2207 Fax: (315) 386-2435
Children and Animals in Hot Vehicles
With the extremely hot weather we are getting in the North Country, we must be aware of the dangers of leaving children behind in hot cars, as it can become deadly within minutes. On a hot day a car can heat up by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes.
On average, 38 children die from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside vehicles every year. Even the most well intended parents or caregivers can leave a sleeping baby/child in the car. Resulting in serious injury or even death.
Heatstroke is one of the leading causes of non-crash related fatalities among children. In 2022, 30 children lost their lives in hot cars, according to the National Safety Council.
“Heatstroke begins when the body’s core reaches 104 degrees and at approximately 107 degrees is lethal” says Carrie Conger, St. Lawrence County Child Passenger Safety Program. “Unfortunately, sometimes we get busy, change up our normal routine, or have someone else drive the kids.”
The St. Lawrence County Child Passenger Safety Program would like to prevent these traumatic events from happening with these safety reminders.
- Look before you lock. Make it a habit to always look before you lock up the vehicle. Check the back seat, and then check again.
- Keep your vehicle locked when parked and keep your keys up and out of reach of children. Three out of 10 deaths happen when an unattended child gets access to a vehicle.
- TAKE ACTION! “Good Samaritan” laws offer legal protection for those who offer assistance in an emergency. Don’t wait, call 911 immediately, get the child out of the vehicle, and then spray the child with cool water.
- Remember the warning signs of heatstroke as it can help save a life.
- Red, hot or moist skin
- No sweating
- Fast or slow pulse
- Nausea
- Confusion.
For additional information on children in cars and heatstroke. Contact Carrie Conger St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety. 315-386-2207. [email protected].
Gary on the Street: How hot can the inside of a car get? - YouTube (Safekids.org)
KEEPING YOUR TEEN DRIVER SAFE
Enforce graduated driver’s licensing
(GDL): It’s the law for a reason
- Learn about Graduated Driver’s License requirements. www.dmv.ny.gov/youngerdriver/gradlicense.htm
- Provide real penalties for not following GDL guidelines: take the keys.
Schedule Lots of Supervised Practice Driving
- Schedule plenty of time so your teen can become an experienced and safe driver. The required 50 hours is a minimum to learn a complicated skill like driving.
- Supervise everyday trips, such as driving to soccer practice, the grocery store, etc. to practice different skills.
- Vary experiences. Teens need to learn skills for different road types, weather conditions, and at night.
- Keep a log. Record the number of hours your teen spends and the different skills practiced.
Give Positive Feedback
- Positive, sincere feedback is the best way to communicate with a new teen driver.
- When needed, discipline and let them know the reasons why. (“You are late. You broke the law and put yourself at risk.”)
- As a last resort, you can withdraw consent for your teen’s license. The form can be found at www.dmv.ny.gov/youngerdriver/consent/htm
Be a Good Role Model
- Family driving rules should be for everyone.
- Maintain a safe speed.
- Pay attention to the road and put the phone away.
- Make sure everyone – front and back – is buckled up.
Adapted from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Teen Driver Source. http://www.teendriversource.org/
REMINDER: Please bring in or mail your DMV Renewals to one of our four St. Lawrence County Motor Vehicle offices in Canton, Gouverneur, Massena or Ogdensburg. When the local office processes your registration or driver’s license renewal, more money stays local!
Congratulations on achieving the first step in obtaining a New York State Driver License!
Schedule your 5-Hour Driving Course as soon as possible. The course helps to learn skills that you will need to use during driving practice. Reminder, it is important to practice driving in a variety of road and weather conditions.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles “Younger Driver” web site contains sections on Graduated License Restrictions, scheduling a road test, and links to the NYS Driver’s Manual. Visit the home page at www.dmv.ny.gov/youngerdriver or scan the QR code below.
To schedule a road test, click on “Schedule a Road Test” Link or by calling the Road Test Scheduling System at 1-518-402-2100.
To be eligible to take the road test, please check the list of items needed at the following web page: http://www.dmv.ny.gov/rtreq.htm.
General information
General information on passenger and commercial travel
National statistics and comprehensive information on a variety of topics
Commercial Vehicles
Provides information on sharing our highways with commercial vehicles
Rail Safety
A non-profit group devoted to preventing collisions along rail rights-of-way and at highway/rail intersections
Impaired Driving
Local statistics and links to national sites
Child Passenger Safety/Youth and Traffic Safety
1. Manufacturer
2. Model number
3. Date of manufacture
You can also check for recalls on-line, and obtain news and information at:
Senior Driving and Disability Issues
You should enter your zip code and choose the number of miles you are willing to travel. The course list/contact info. should pop up.
The toll-free number is (877) 846-3299.
ADED: Association of Driver Rehabilitation SpecialistsDirectory of people qualified to evaluate driving skills of individuals
Assistance addressing concerns about an unsafe aging driver
Point and Insurance Reduction Classes and Internet (On-line) Courses
To reduce your driver violation point total by a maximum of four points, and save a maximum of 10 percent on your automobile liability insurance premiums, take a DMV-approved accident prevention course. Please check with your Insurance Company regarding the discount that applies, and the Department of Motor Vehicles for information on reducing license points. A list of local course providers follows.
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American Association of Retired Persons (AARP)
On-line: www.aarpdriversafety.org
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1-800-350-7025 | |||
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American Automobile Association (AAA)
On-line: www.aaa.com/defensivedriving
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1-844-708-0968 | |||
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American Safety Council, Inc.
On-line: www.NewYorkSafetyCouncil.com
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1-877-689-0674 | |||
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America Safety
On-line: www.bigappletrafficschool.com
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800-800-7121 | |||
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Driver Training Associates (DTA) www.ticketschool.com/NY |
1-800-558-9887 | |||
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Empire Safety Council
On-line: www.empiresafetycouncil.com
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800-246-3603 | |||
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I DRIVE SAFELY
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877-860-5275 | |||
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National Safety Council
On-line: www.drivesafe.com/NY
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800-962-3434 | |||
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National Safety Council of Central & Western NY
On-line: www.safetycouncilny.org
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800-255-1300 | |||
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National Traffic Safety Institute
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1-800-733-6874
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New York Safety Program
On-line: www.nysponline.com
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888-292-0397 | |||
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Online Defensive Driving Course by Improv
On-line: www.MyImprovNewYork.com |
800-660-8908 | |||
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USA Training Company
On-line: www.NewYorkDefensiveDriving.com
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800-972-4659 |
The St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee
