December 10, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON AND COMMISSIONER GLYNN ANNOUNCE SAFESENIORS –
NEW PROGRAM TO INCREASE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Will Bring Quick, Easy, Low-Cost Enhancements to New York’s Local Roadways
Pilot Program Set for Hempstead Turnpike and Route 25/25A on Long Island; Future Plans to Implement Program Statewide
Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn today announced SafeSeniors, a new federally-funded program aimed at making it easier and safer for senior citizens to walk to common, everyday destinations in their local communities by focusing on low-cost, relatively simple changes to the pedestrian environment in and around roadways under NYSDOT’s jurisdiction. NYSDOT has identified Route 24, Hempstead Turnpike, in Nassau County and Route 25/25A, Main Street, in Suffolk County as a pilot project to kick off the SafeSeniors effort. Based upon lessons learned at the pilot locations, SafeSeniors will be expanded statewide.
Such techniques as higher visibility pavement markings, longer intersection crossing times, countdown signals, better street lighting and pedestrian education programs are tools that can be used to make it easier and safer for seniors to walk about their neighborhoods. Many of these changes can be implemented quickly and can significantly improve safety well beyond the limited financial investment they require. Longer-term improvements can be considered as part of major capital programs.
“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe community, and the implementation of these important pedestrian safety initiatives throughout New York Sate will not only provide peace of mind to some of New York’s most vulnerable residents, but will make conditions on local roads safer for all pedestrians,” said Governor Paterson. “In today’s uncertain economic times, it is especially important to employ cost-effective measures that will yield quality-of-life improvements for all of New York’s residents.”
Commissioner Glynn said: “This new, statewide program will target key areas to improve pedestrian safety for senior citizens. For many senior citizens, being able safely to cross active intersections to access necessary businesses, such as the grocery store, the pharmacy, local shops and other destinations common to daily life, is essential to maintaining well-being and independence.”
Additionally, Commissioner Glynn noted that from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2007, there were 123 motor vehicle accidents on State roads in Nassau and Suffolk counties that involved older pedestrians, defined as persons over 65 years-of-age. Those incidents resulted in 104 injuries and 19 fatalities.
Under the SafeSeniors program, local meetings for interested citizens and groups will be held to discuss safety concerns and improvement options. NYSDOT will supply a list of the area’s highest accident locations for senior citizens, as well as locations for which the department has received multiple complaints from the public. Meeting participants will be asked to identify areas with high concentrations of seniors, such as near nursing homes or other facilities for seniors, as well as locations they believe to be of concern. The group will develop a list of three to five priority locations for pedestrian safety improvements that would benefit seniors.
Kate Slevin, Executive Director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said: “We applaud Governor Paterson and Commissioner Glynn for this innovative new effort to improve safety for older pedestrians. As our population ages, programs like this will become even more critical.”
Lois Aronstein, AARP New York State Director, said: “SafeSeniors will allow New York to make sure its streets are complete to accommodate older people who rely on walking to take care of their daily needs. This commitment to making our State more livable will allow people to continue to live in their communities independently and safely.”
NYSDOT will work with local governments, AARP, and other retirement and health organizations in each location to identify sites where key improvements will help to promote the safety of senior pedestrians. By targeting areas with a greater senior population or areas where modifications may significantly improve safety for senior citizens, NYSDOT hopes to make walking more attractive to seniors.
Each priority location will be visited by the stakeholder group so existing impediments can be examined and possible solutions investigated. A list of prioritized actions will then be developed, to be undertaken as funding permits. Once these actions are identified, NYSDOT will establish a Web page where interested parties can get information about the proposed changes.
The locations on Long Island were selected to be part of this pilot program because they are under NYSDOT jurisdiction, have a high number of pedestrian incidents, will serve as good examples for other locations across New York State and were determined by NYSDOT to be locations that could greatly benefit from affordable improvements. Additional sites are currently being researched.
