For Immediate Release: August 20, 2008

Thruway Authority, in Partnership with State Police Troop T and Motor Truck Association, to Hold "Safety Breaks" at Four Thruway Travel Plazas

The New York State Thruway Authority, in partnership with State Police Troop T and the New York State Motor Truck Association, will host “Safety Breaks” at four Thruway Travel Plazas this Friday, August 22, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Safety Breaks” are aimed at educating motorists about safely sharing the road with trucks.

“Remaining alert behind the wheel is mandatory in order to ensure safe travels,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. “Working with State Police and the Motor Truck Association, motorists are encouraged to take frequent safety breaks at any one of the 27 Travel Plazas located along the Thruway.”

“The New York State Police are pleased to support this worthwhile highway safety effort,” said State Police Troop T Commander Major Robert C. Meyers. “It is vitally important that operators of commercial vehicles and the passenger vehicles they share the road with, remain alert and aware at all times to avoid tragedy on our highways.”

While all Thruway Travel Plazas have been designed to offer motorists with safe and convenient places to stop and take breaks while traveling, this Friday’s “Safety Breaks” will be held at the New Baltimore Travel Plaza (milepost 127 northbound and southbound), the Chittenango Travel Plaza (milepost 266 westbound), the Port Byron Travel Plaza (milepost 310 eastbound) and the Pembroke Travel Plaza (milepost 397 eastbound).

“Driving safely is the responsibility of all drivers and we are honored to join the Thruway Authority in promoting this message,” said New York State Motor Truck Association Acting President Kendra Adams. “The New York State Thruway has an excellent safety record and the Association is pleased to participate in this valuable program to help maintain safe driving practices on the Thruway and other state highways.”

The Authority is firmly committed to a high level of safety and service. In addition to having its own dedicated State Police Troop to patrol the Thruway and enforce the vehicle and traffic laws, the Thruway is continually rated one of the safest highways in the nation. In fact, in 2007, there were 32 fatal accidents on the Thruway resulting in 35 deaths, reflecting a fatality rate of 0.34, the fourth lowest rate in Thruway history and significantly lower than the national average.

Another significant factor in reducing Thruway fatalities has been the STAR (Shoulder Treatment for Accident Reduction) program. Since 1990, the Authority has been cutting shoulder grooves that create a noise and vibrating sensation alerting sleepy drivers and helping avoid drift-off-road accidents. In addition to a number of safety initiatives, other factors include wider pavement markings; more median barriers; stronger guide rails; higher levels of maintenance, including snow and ice control; and a strong emphasis on safety awareness for Thruway travelers.

Each “Safety Break” location will be staffed with representatives from the Thruway Authority, State Police, and the Motor Truck Association. Representatives will be on hand to assist customers with questions and to provide travelers with important traveler information including literature about safety initiatives, Travel Plaza directories and E-ZPass.

For a complete listing of food concepts and amenities at all 27 Thruway Travel Plazas, motorists are encouraged to visit the following link to the Authority’s website at: http://www.nysthruway.gov/travelplazas/directory.html.

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The Authority offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major unscheduled incidents that may affect their travel on the Thruway.  To sign up for the TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Authority’s website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

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