Road Safety Campaigns

Be Safe, Be Seen

*** Please NOTE that ALL vests have been distributed at this time.
Check back for updates, and additional information on a second round of safety vest distribution. ***

October is Pedestrian Safety Month, and Daylight Savings Time ends on November 3, meaning longer nights and sunsets before 5 p.m. This increases risks for pedestrians, who are walking in low light for a longer stretch of time and are less visible to drivers. It’s important for drivers to remain alert, and for pedestrians and bicyclists to take extra measures to be safe and be seen.

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, in cooperation with the Ulster County Transportation Council and Ulster County Traffic Safety Board, gave out 300 yellow reflective vests at different locations in the County. The vests aid in pedestrian visibility and were available to the public free of charge as part of a “Be Safe, Be Seen” traffic safety initiative. Beginning on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, the reflective vests were made available at the front desks of the following locations:

• Ulster County DMV Office, 244 Fair Street, Kingston

• New Paltz Police Department, 59 N Putt Corners Road, New Paltz

• Trudy Resnick Farber Center For Human Development, 50 Center Street, Ellenville

• Saugerties Town Hall, 4 High Street, Saugerties

• Plattekill Town Hall, 1915 Route 44-55, Modena

For questions or for more information, email: UlsterTSB@co.ulster.ny.us

Safe Start to School

Safe Start to School 2024 is a three-week road safety campaign to reduce speeding in school zones and speed zones, strengthen compliance with traffic safety laws for school buses, and elevate awareness of traffic safety among children, parents, and all users of our roadways. The campaign, launched by County Executive Metzger, builds on the successful “Safe Start to Summer” campaign and partners with the Ulster County Transportation Council, Ulster County Traffic Safety Board, Office of the Ulster County Sheriff, local governments, state and local law enforcement, and school districts.

The road safety initiative includes a public education campaign for students, their families, and drivers, as well as enhanced enforcement of traffic laws in school zones and other speed zones at different locations around the County.

Safe Start to Summer

Safe Start to Summer 2024 is a three-week road safety campaign to elevate awareness about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving, promote a culture of safety and respect on roadways, and help save lives. The campaign is a collaboration of the Ulster County Executive, Ulster County Transportation Council, Ulster County Traffic Safety Board, Office of the Ulster County Sheriff, local governments, and state and local law enforcement.

The campaign involves both public education and enhanced enforcement of traffic laws at specific locations around Ulster County. The educational and awareness-raising campaign kicks off the week of June 24 and continues through mid-July. The enforcement program will take place from July 1 to 14 at specific locations in communities across Ulster County that have been identified as problem areas by local communities or based on data provided by the Ulster County Transportation Council showing a higher-than-average risk of traffic incidents.

Safe Start to Summer and other traffic safety initiatives planned for this year to address growing problems on roadways with distracted driving as well as aggressive driving, which has been on the rise since the pandemic. In her State of the County address in February, County Executive Metzger announced plans for road safety initiatives in the wake of several tragic motor vehicle incidents, including a crash on Route 28 in Shandaken and hit-and-run incidents in Saugerties and New Paltz that claimed four young lives. A third hit-and-run incident occurred several weeks later in Marlborough in which two people died.

Local law enforcement agencies participating in the two-week enhanced enforcement effort include, to date, agencies in Ellenville, Kingston, Rosendale, Lloyd, Marlborough, New Paltz, Olive, Plattekill, Saugerties, Shandaken, UIster, and Woodstock. The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office is providing enhanced enforcement for communities that do not have a local law enforcement agency, including Denning, Esopus, Gardiner, Hardenburg, Hurley, Marbletown, Rochester, Shawangunk, Wawarsing, and the Town of Kingston.

The educational campaign involves a social media strategy as well as a 4” x 9” road safety hand-out that can be downloaded and distributed by County and local governments, law enforcement, and the community.

In a separate road safety initiative, County Executive Metzger directed the County Department of Public Works to purchase 20 portable radar feedback kits for loan to municipalities to support local road safety efforts. The signs alert drivers to their speed and help to slow traffic while also collecting speed data to inform future traffic-calming measures.

Local governments should contact the Department of Public Works if they are interested in obtaining a sign, by emailing: ucradar@co.ulster.ny.us

Everyone in Ulster County has a role to play in ensuring road safety. Here are some ways that drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists can contribute:

For Drivers:

• Adhere strictly to speed limits, especially in high-risk and residential areas.

• Be vigilant for cyclists and pedestrians, particularly at crosswalks and intersections.

• Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and stop well before the crosswalk line.

• Avoid using mobile devices while driving to maintain full attention on the road.

For Pedestrians:

• Walk on the left side of the roadway facing traffic if there are no sidewalks available.

• Always use designated crosswalks and obey traffic signals.

• Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during low-light conditions or at night. Most pedestrian fatalities occur at dusk.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions such as mobile devices while walking.

For Cyclists:

• Ride with traffic and use appropriate hand signals before turning or changing lanes.

• Equip e-bikes and bicycles with reflectors and lights, and wear brightly-colored clothes to increase visibility to drivers.

• Wear a helmet, which greatly reduces the risk of brain injury in a crash or fall.

• Obey all traffic signals and signs, just as motor vehicles do.

• Take the lane when necessary to ensure your safety, especially on narrow roads.

By working together and following these guidelines, everyone is safer and better protected on our roadways.