Governor announces ‘SafeSeniors’ project

SafeSeniors, the new federally funded program aimed at making it easier and safer for senior citizens to get around was recently announced by Governor David Paterson and Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Astrid Glynn.
“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,” Paterson stated.
Under the program, several destinations throughout the state will experience relatively simple changes that will benefit pedestrians.
The DOT will kick off SafeSeniors on Route 24, Hempstead Turnpike, Nassau County and Route 25/25A, Main Street, Suffolk County.
Commissioner Glynn pointed out that from January 2005 to December 2007, Nassau and Suffolk Counties experienced 123 motor vehicle accidents involving senior citizens, 19 of which resulted in deaths.
Along with retirement and health organizations, the DOT will also be working with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to identify key locations where improvement is needed.
A list of actions will be written up by the appropriate stakeholder group that visits these locations. This list will than be given to the DOT and put on a website that will be accessible to the public.
AARP New York State Director Lois Armstrong explained the overall benefit of the program.
“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.”