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County seeks state traffic‑safety grants, adds school‑bus safety and child‑passenger programs
Summary
Emergency Services requested and the committee approved multiple Governor's Traffic Safety Committee grants for police traffic service, a 2026 county traffic safety program with a school‑bus safety component, and a Child Passenger Safety Program to fund education, enforcement and car‑seat distribution.
The committee approved several traffic‑safety grants administered by the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. The law enforcement traffic service grant (legislative request 259) was presented as an annual award used in part to pay overtime for targeted enforcement operations aimed at distracted driving and other violations.
A larger 2026 traffic safety program grant (legislative request 256, $96,820) includes a new school‑bus safety component. Presenters described use of the funds for part‑time traffic safety educators, school outreach (programs such as Live at 25 and Not One More), senior driver safety programs and social‑media and promotional materials. The grant also supports motorcycle and pedestrian safety work.
Committee members asked whether the school bus stop‑arm enforcement program has reduced violations. Presenters said it is difficult to draw firm conclusions after only one school year; anecdotal reports from bus drivers suggest some improvement, but the county lacks a long baseline for comparison. Staff clarified that the external camera program on buses is a separate enforcement mechanism and that the education grant discussed here does not directly fund bus camera enforcement. Presenters said the county is tracking repeat offenders and intends to pursue court accountability for individuals who repeatedly violate the stop arm statute.
A separate Child Passenger Safety Program grant (legislative request 257, $6,950) was approved to fund technician training, car‑seat distribution and community car‑seat safety check events.
All three grants were approved by voice vote.
