For information on traffic safety programs, contact the Office of Traffic Safety at (585) 753-3200 or [email protected].

Educational Programs

Roadway safety affects everyone in our community. Our programs cover various topics for pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and passengers, while promoting responsible choices and caution. With presentations and events individually tailored to all ages and groups, different visuals and discussion help our team show why making the right choices can keep us safe.

Please refer to this guide as you consider hosting our free programs. Our team’s presentations and events may include statistical data, pertinent laws, real life examples, and/or hands-on activities to benefit all types of learners. We are always open to creating a custom program, as we have done many times before. We also offer equipment to loan with agreed upon expectations and instruction.

Host expectations and location needs would be specific to each type of event or presentation. This can range from providing a single facilitator in a classroom, to organizing and providing multiple volunteers for a larger event.
Programming requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis with considerations such as high crash rated areas, the capacity of our team, and the overall needs of our entire county. The scheduling document can be found here.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to collaborate. Together we can ensure the roads are safe for everyone!

Bicycle Safety

For Children

The goal of this program is to teach Monroe County students how to be safe bicycle riders, highlighting the importance of always wearing a bicycle helmet. Additional topics covered are: safe places to ride bicycles, basic bicycle maintenance (tires, brakes, chain, seat and handle bars), safety tips, and the rules of the road.

• Grade: Pre-K-2–Video: “I’m No Fool on Wheels” (13 minutes)
  Description: Pinocchio, now a real boy, meets Jennifer and Christopher in a park where he learns about roller skates, skateboards, and bicycles. Jennifer and Christopher demonstrate the importance of learning safety rules, wearing proper safety gear, checking your equipment, and choosing safe locations for biking and skating.
• Grade: 2-3–Video: “I’m No Fool on a Bicycle” (16 minutes)
  Description: Geppetto teaches Pinocchio how to be a safe bicyclist by watching two young riders demonstrate the rules of the road and the proper use of hand signals while riding on the street and sidewalk. Wearing a bicycle helmet is emphasized as is checking the equipment on your bike to make sure it is working properly.
• Grade: 2-4 -Video: “The Bicycle Zone” (12 minutes)
  Description: On a family bicycle outing it becomes apparent that the children know more than the parents about riding safely. As the parents demonstrate incorrect ways of riding, the children help them learn the rules that will keep them safe when riding.
• Grade: 3-4–Video: “Bicycle Safety Camp” (20 minutes)
  Description: A group of children is sent to camp to learn how to become safe bicyclists. The video covers wearing a bike helmet, checking your bicycle, safe places to ride and the rules of the road. The instructor shows the campers how to ride on the sidewalk, on a quiet neighborhood street, and a country road. Rap style songs are used to convey many of the safety issues.
• Grade: 4-6–Video: “Be Safe on Your Bike” (12 minutes)
  Description: Two professional cyclists discuss how to be safe when riding a bicycle. They stress three key points for riding safely: be predictable, be visible, and communicate. This is a straightforward review of the rules of the road, the use of hand signals, bicycle maintenance, and safe places to ride a bike. The wearing of a bicycle helmet is also emphasized.
• Grade: 4-6–Video: “Bike Safety with Bill Nye the Science Guy” (17 minutes)
  Description: This high energy video covers a broad range of bicycle safety topics and includes demonstrations ranging from a bike helmet impact test to the proper use of hand signals. Statistics and facts are interjected throughout the video.
• Grade: 5-8–Video: “Heads Up, Helmets Work” (12 minutes)
  Description: “Heads Up, Helmets Work” is a real-life sobering look at what can happen to bicyclists when they don’t wear helmets. Conversations with a thirteen year old boy and films of a young girl in physical therapy demonstrate how dramatically their lives have been altered by the brain injuries they sustained during their bike accidents. The opening five minutes of this video can be used in conjunction with other bicycle videos to highlight the key points, helmet safety and riding safety.
• Grade: 5-8–Video: “Jell-O In a Jar” (8 minutes)
  Description: This high energy video uses graphics and rock music as a backdrop for a discussion of the importance of bike helmets. A teen tells the story of his bike accident and the injuries that resulted because he was not wearing a helmet. A Jell-O brain is dropped to show the effects of a fall on the brain.
• Grade: 5-8–Video: “Pedal Smarts” (17 minutes)
  Description: This video uses teen actors in a news-style format “reporting” on helmets, bike rules and sharing the road with other vehicles.

For Adults

• Video: “Bicycle Helmet Use: A Law to Live With” (18 minutes)
  Description: This video emphasizes bike helmet use. Police officers discuss the helmet law and interviews with accident survivors are shown. One story involves a boy who was ticketed for not wearing a helmet. He subsequently started wearing a helmet and several months later was hit by a car and escaped without a head injury. The video also relates the story of the two children in the “Heads Up, Helmets Work” video who were not wearing helmets.
• Video: “Be Head Smart-It’s Time to Start” (18 minutes)
  Description: This video opens with a dramatization of a bicycle/car accident and then moves to the hospital where the teen’s parents and friends are waiting for word from the surgeon. The teen was not wearing a helmet and sustained a head injury. The friends share stories of other teens whose lives have been changed or lost because they were riding without a bicycle helmet. The video also reviews helmet testing standards and the proper fit of a helmet.

Seat Belt Safety

This program covers how to ride safely in a vehicle by emphasizing the importance of wearing a seat belt, and riding in the back seat for children under 12. Air bags are discussed and posters are used to show how to wear a seat belt properly.

• Grade: K-3–Video: “Mickey Mouse: Safety Belt Expert” (16 minutes)
  Description: In this video, Mickey Mouse is a judge during a “daydream” trial. The story begins when a car driver (Mrs. Horn) makes an excuse when her son Brian requests that she fasten her seat belt. Another passenger in the car, Jennifer, begins to daydream about a seat belt trial involving Mickey Mouse. The trial stresses the importance of seat belt safety and how to be a safe passenger while riding in a vehicle.
• Grade: 3-6–Video: “The Back Is Where It’s At” (17 minutes)
  Description: This high energy video featuring Bill Nye covers the importance of seat belts and the proper way to wear them. Sitting in the back seat is emphasized throughout the video. Air bags and how they work are also covered.
• Grade: 3-6–Video: “Safety Belts: For Dummies or For People” (8 minutes)
  Description: This video stars the crash test dummies Vince and Larry, and uses actual crash test film footage to make the point that using seat belts saves lives. The proper way to wear a seat belt is demonstrated. The video provides a strong message that wearing a seat belt is one way to show that you are a responsible person.
• Grade: 5-8–Video: “Mort Bags It” (16 minutes)
  Description: In this live action video, Mort goes to an automobile plant for a tour. He takes a detour to the air bag testing area to find out why his air bag failed to deploy in a crash. Information is presented on air bags as well as on the importance of always using seat belts.
• Grade: 11-12–Video: “Ride of Your Life” (22 minutes)
  Description: This video stars race car drivers Danny Sullivan, Lyn St. James and Al Unser Jr. They discuss safety and use clips of actual racing accidents to stress the importance of wearing seat belts. It includes a discussion of brain injuries by Dr. Joseph Bleiberg.

School Bus Safety

The topic includes the basic elements of school bus safety and a review of all rules relating to waiting for the bus, riding the bus, exiting the bus and crossing the street after exiting.

• Grade: K-1–Video: “Pooh’s Great School Bus Adventure” (14 minutes)
  Description: Actors costumed as Winnie the Pooh characters learn the rules of bus safety while riding on a school bus. Emphasis is placed on arriving at the bus stop early, standing back from the curb, riding the bus, and crossing streets after exiting off the bus. Songs are used to convey many of the safety rules.
• Grade: K-4–Video: “Be Cool, Follow the Rules” (15 minutes)
  Description: In this live action film, an elementary school student dreams that he is a private eye and has been given the job of escorting the Queen to school. He decides to use the school bus to get her there. En route the Queen and her court jester learn the rules of school bus safety. Humor and jokes abound in this video.

Quick Tips for Motorcycle Safety

Be visible:

• Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time.
• Make sure your headlight works and is on day and night.
• Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle.
• Be aware of the blind spots cars and trucks have.
• Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.
• If a motorist doesn’t see you, don’t be afraid to use your horn.

Dress for safety:

• Wear a quality helmet and eye protection.
• Wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet.
• Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing.
• Choose long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves.
• Remember—the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.

Apply effective mental strategies:

• Constantly search the road for changing conditions.
• Give yourself space and time to respond to other motorists’ actions.
• Give other motorists time and space to respond to you.
• Use lane positioning to be seen; ride in the part of a lane where you are most visible.
• Watch for turning vehicles.
• Signal your next move in advance.
• Avoid weaving between lanes.
• Pretend you’re invisible, and ride extra defensively.
• Don’t ride when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Know and follow the rules of the road.
• Stick to the speed limit.

Know your bike and how to use it:

• Get formal training and take refresher courses.
• Call 1-800-446-9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org to locate the Motorcycle Safety Foundation hands-on Rider Course nearest you.
• Practice. Develop your riding techniques before going into heavy traffic. Know how to handle your bike in conditions such as wet or sandy roads, high winds, and uneven surfaces.

Please contact the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety to schedule a presentation for your group or organization:

• Jean Triest (e-mail)
  Phone: 585 753-3018

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

Displays

The Office of Traffic Safety offers comprehensive traffic safety displays for Monroe County: schools, senior citizen centers, neighborhood organizations, veterans groups, businesses, boy/girl scouts, community organizations, housing complexes, civic groups and special events/festivals.

Handouts are available concerning distracted driving; seat belt safety; air bags; child restraint seats; bicycle safety and helmet use; pedestrian safety; school bus safety; and other related traffic safety issues.

In addition, the “Vince and Larry, Crash Test Dummies” costumes are available for loan to Monroe County organizations wishing to promote seat belt safety.

NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Commitee

Pedestrian Safety

For Children

The topic includes the concept of Stop, Look, and Listen and reviews the rules of pedestrian safety such as: using the safest route, crossing at street corners, obeying the walk-don’t walk signs, and stranger awareness. Parking lot safety and the concept of “visual screens” are also addressed with older students.

• Grade: Pre-K-1–Video: “Tigger as a Pedestrian” (12 minutes)
  Description: Tigger, Winnie the Pooh and their friends walk to school with Christopher Robin who teaches them the rules of pedestrian safety.
• Grade: 2-3–Video: “I’m No Fool as a Pedestrian” (15 minutes)
  Description: Geppetto helps Pinocchio learn how to be a safe pedestrian. They watch a group of children demonstrate the key rules of pedestrian safety on a walk through their neighborhood on the way to the park.
• Grade: 3-6–Video: “Walking with Your Eyes” (14 minutes)
  Description: A Police Officer reviews the rules of pedestrian safety with three preteens on a walk to the mall. “Visual screens” are discussed as are rules for being safe when walking in a parking lot.

For Adults

• Video: “Mission Impossible: Operation Safe Walk” (15 minutes)
  Description: This video follows the format of the TV series of the same name. A group of “agents” is given the mission of teaching an older couple the rules of pedestrian safety. The agents disguise themselves as the couple and on a trip to the drug store they pull the switch. They then discuss the pedestrian safety rules with their “spouse” as each different issue arises.
• Video: “Walking Through the Years” (13 minutes)
  Description: A police officer is conducting a pedestrian safety program for a group of older adults. He asks for questions from the audience and uses them to review the rules of pedestrian safety.

Do you know the correct way to wear a bike helmet?

Wear the helmet flat atop your head, NOT tilted back at an angle.

Make sure the helmet fits snugly and does not obstruct your field of vision.

Make sure the chin strap fits securely and the buckle stays fastened.