NEW YORK — The New York State Division of Motor Autos (DMV) and New York State Police as we speak urged New Yorkers to be cautious and take steps to maintain themselves protected whereas driving and procuring this vacation season. Each businesses provided tricks to promote freeway security and assist shoppers hold their purchases safe.
“The vacations are a particular time of yr that ought to be crammed with pleased reminiscences and never tragedies attributable to poor planning or poor choices,” stated Mark J.F. Schroeder, DMV Commissioner and Governor’s Site visitors Security Committee (GTSC) Chair. “There are easy steps a motorist can take — similar to correctly securing timber earlier than transporting them, protecting free from distractions whereas driving, and having a plan to make sure they are going to by no means drive whereas impaired — that may assist hold themselves and others protected on the highway.”
New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen stated, “Criminals will search for any alternative to steal and make the most of their victims. It might sound easy, however whether or not you might be procuring at a big mall or procuring small, all the time concentrate on your environment. The commonsense steps are those that may defend you from changing into a sufferer. Being alert and taking the suitable precautions will assist to maintain you protected this vacation procuring season.”
State Police urged buyers to be vigilant and provided the next extra suggestions:
• Store with a good friend or in a gaggle
• If procuring alone, don’t be afraid to ask safety to escort you to your automotive
• Retailer purchases within the trunk of your automobile, underneath a blanket or out of view
• Don’t depart valuables in your automotive
• Keep away from carrying massive quantities of money and hold your cash and bank cards in a entrance pocket
DMV urges drivers who plan to exit celebrating through the holidays to make use of the Have a Plan app to assist decide a protected technique to get dwelling. The free app from the GTSC and the NYS STOP-DWI Basis lets you designate a driver, name a cab or rideshare, and to assessment the implications of impaired driving. You’ll be able to even use the app to report a drunk or drugged driver. The app is out there for Apple, Android, and Home windows smartphones.
Motorists ought to be certain that their autos are away from snow earlier than touring. The snow ought to be totally faraway from the entrance, rear, and aspect home windows, in addition to the rear-view mirrors. It also needs to be faraway from the roof and hoods, so it doesn’t immediately slide down the windshield or blow off and obscure the motive force’s view or the view of different motorists.
DMV offers winter driving suggestions to assist motorists put together for journey and steering ought to they encounter snow or ice, together with deal with a skid. The Nationwide Freeway Security Administration (NHTSA) additionally presents winter driving suggestions and suggests protecting emergency provides within the automobile.
Motorists are suggested to examine 511NY earlier than touring. The free journey data system is accessible 24 hours per day by calling 511 or visiting 511NY.org. The service offers real-time visitors circumstances and hyperlinks to details about air, rail, and transit companies.
DMV reminded New Yorkers who’re buying an actual tree to ensure it’s correctly secured earlier than driving. The motive force ought to have an unobstructed view out of all home windows. Drivers can face penalties if an unsecured tree falls off their automobile.
In keeping with a 2019 AAA survey, an estimated 84 million Individuals plan to buy an actual tree, and 44 p.c of them will transport the tree utilizing unsafe strategies. Failure to correctly safe a tree can threat harmful highway particles and harm to your automobile and others. Earlier AAA analysis discovered that highway particles prompted greater than 200,000 crashes throughout a four-year interval, leading to about 39,000 accidents and 500 deaths.
In regard to adorning a automobile, DMV reminds motorists that it’s not authorized to place ornamental lights on their automotive, truck, or SUV, and doing so may result in a ticket. Different decorations should be secured and never obscure the motive force’s imaginative and prescient, the automobile’s lights, or the license plates.
