STATEN ISLAND DASHBOARD DIARY

A blog by Staten Island Advance's Maura Yates

Advance file photoNew York's highways were safer than ever last year. Did slow driving through traffic jams play a role?

Last year was the safest for New York State's highways since records started being kept in the early 1920s. More people than ever -- 89 percent -- are buckling seat belts, and aggressive drunk driving initiatives are part of the reason why.

Gov. David A. Paterson announced today that DMV records show an 8 percent drop in traffic fatalities. Highway deaths dropped from 1,433 in 2006 to 1,317 last year.

Fatal motorcycle and large truck crashes saw even more dramatic drops, with 11 and 20 percent decreases, respectively.

Pedestrians were safer, too, with 14 percent fewer crash deaths last year.

Paterson applauded statewide traffic safety programs including Buckle Up New York and STOP-DWI, for their roles in causing the declines.

"In order to continue on a path of historic safety for New York's drivers and passengers, a strong commitment towards making the state's roadways the safest in the nation is essential," Paterson said. "That is why New York State will continue to maintain strong partnerships with the traffic safety community, for the successful implementation of driver safety programs, child passenger programs and traffic enforcement details."

Advance file photoWe still have a ways to go before plows and salt spreaders start rolling here, but they were out this morning in parts of New Jersey.

Hard to believe here in Staten Island where it's been pouring rain all day, but central Jersey got its first dose of the white stuff this morning.

Salt spreaders were dispatched to the Garden State Parkway and on the New Jersey Turnpike between exits 8 and 11.

"It looked like a mini-blizzard in October," Turnpike Authority spokesman Joe Orlando told the Associated Press. "We're salting the roads and we haven't even gone trick or treating yet."

Speed limits were reduced during the wintry blitz, but the snow didn't accumulate.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, November will be mild, but the coming winter will be colder and snowier than normal in the Northeast. The coldest temperatures will occur in mid-December, early January, and early February. The snowiest periods will be in early and mid-December, early January, early and late February, and early March.

Associated Press file photoThe more teens in a car driven by a fellow teen, the more likely it is to crash.

Statistically speaking, one of the worst places to be aside from underneath a tree during a lightning storm, is in a car packed with teenagers.

Here's some food for thought in honor of National Teen Driver Safety Week:

According to RideLikeAFriend.com, studies show that just one teen passenger doubles the risk a teen driver will get into a fatal crash. The risk quadruples when there are three or more teen passengers in the car.

The Ride Like A Friend Campaign offers these tips:

Distractions are deadly for teen drivers. Distractions are the No. 1 reason new drivers crash, and car crashes are the leading killer of teens.

Peer passengers are a major factor in fatal teen crashes. Just one teen passenger doubles the risk a teen driver will get in a fatal crash. Having three or more peer passengers quadruples the risk.

Few teens know about this risk. Only 1 in 10 teens consider the presence of peer passengers to influence their safety

Teens can "ride like a friend" by wearing a seat belt, reducing distractions, respecting the driver, and helping the driver if asked. These safe passenger behaviors will help reduce crash risk and injuries and death due to crashes.

Teens should limit peer passengers during the first year of independent driving. Fatal crash risk hits a lifetime high in the first six months of independent driving. Teen drivers should have no passengers under age 21 during the first six months after licensure, and no more than one peer passenger for the second six months.

Teen passengers should not ride with novice drivers. Most teen passengers who die on the road are riding with teen drivers. Teens should not ride with peers for at least the first six months of independent driving.

I always figured the whole "there's no place to park and I'm in a rush, so let me block your driveway" thing was an "only happens in New York" kind of problem. Surely people elsewhere are more civilized, I thought.

Turns out, the fine folks of the Scottish Highlands have the same issue.

Having never visited Scotland, I always imagined the biggest traffic problem up there was waiting for sheep to cross the street. Guess I was wrong. Looks like traffic drives people crazy in every corner of the globe.

Meanwhile, Staten Island driveways get blocked all the time in some spots, especially around schools. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to need to be somewhere, but your car is stuck in your own driveway because some knucklehead couldn't find a place to park. Has it ever happened to you?

Gearing up for our next installment of the Advance's series on transportation issues, we're looking for some horror stories pertaining to the borough's local roads.

What are the biggest problems getting around in your neighborhood?

Call 718-816-8414 or email myates@siadvance.com and let us know.

Associated Press file photoA ride on the BART is pleasant enough, but just try buying a ticket without tearing your hair out.

After spending a few days in San Francisco for a family wedding (congrats Brian and Sheri!), I was surprised to realize how much I appreciate the wonderful simplicity of New York City's transit system.

Never thought I would express affection for a MetroCard vending machine!

Advance file photoBEFORE: The toll plaza bridge was replaced in sections, creating a sun roof effect and shifting traffic around it back in August when this picture was snapped.

Though the roadway work on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge toll plaza is done, work underneath the overpass that sits above Lily Pond Avenue is still underway.

Two mild winters and an accelerated project schedule, as well as the contractor's efforts to get the toll plaza done first, helped to shave a few months off the three year project, which began in November 2006.

The $18 million construction project was needed to replace the roadway bridge that forms the toll plaza, which was the original 1964 structure that was built when the bridge was opened.

MTA Bridges and TunnelsAFTER: The toll plaza is back in one piece, with the roadway completed and lanes painted. Work is still going on underneath the overpass, including the installation of new sidewalks, new lights, and other finishing touches.

Over the years, the bridge began to show its age, with crumbling concrete in spots, old steel and dingy lighting.

Still to come are the installation of new sidewalks and lighting underneath the toll plaza, as well as other finishing touches that are not expected to impact traffic on the roadway above.

Associated Press file photoDistracted drivers can be deadly.

Every day while driving around the streets of Staten Island, I see them -- people nonchalantly yapping on cell phones, holding the phone with one hand, while the other hand steers. I want to open my window and yell to them, "I sprung for the dorky looking Bluetooth handsfree thing, and so can you!" But they probably wouldn't hear me over their conversation anyway.

These distracted drivers aren't just annoying to watch, they're deadly behind the wheel.

Two recent examples:

Text messaging was blamed in the horrific and deadly crash of a Los Angeles commuter train two weeks ago. The train's engineer, allegedy sending messages from his cell phone while driving, apparently missed a stop sign and plowed head first into another train. Twenty five people were killed and more than 100 passengers were injured.

Then, today, a 13-year-old girl was killed when a truck driver on a cell phone slammed into her school bus.

The Associated Press reported that the crash in Citra, Fla., occurred after Reinaldo Gonzalez's truck rear-ended the bus, which was carrying 21 kids.

Both the truck and the bus burst into flame. Junior high student Frances M. Schee was killed, and bystanders were credited with a heroic rescue of the other students. Eight other kids were injured -- two critically.

Gonzalez "said that he was using the phone just prior to the crash and he looked up and noticed that the bus had stopped," said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Pat Riordan. "It was certainly a distraction."

Charges against Gonzalez are pending, Riordan said.

Please, someone tell me, what conversation could possibly be so important that you can't pull over for a minute or two? Or at least use speaker phone!