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Press release

The New York State Police in conjunction with the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office and Village of Corfu Police Department will participate in a Traffic Safety Corridor to deter aggressive driving in Genesee County beginning this week.

The summer months bring an increase in traffic throughout the roadways of New York.  Congested roadways and increased hours spent driving often leads to aggressive driving. An aggressive driver is someone who operates a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others.

Throughout the summer, the State Police and local law enforcement agencies will focus attention and dedicate patrols to state routes 66, 77 and 20 in Genesee County.

A high volume of traffic moves along these roadways everyday, increasing the chances of aggressive drivers and traffic accidents. Law enforcement officers will pay close attention to motorists who drive at high rate of speed, fail to signal when changing lanes, tailgate, fail to yield right-of-way and disregard traffic-control devices.

“With increased patrols and visibility along these roadways, we hope to remind motorists to follow safe driving practices,” said Major Christopher L. Cummings, Troop “A” Commander.  “Troopers will pay close attention to these designated roadways and enforce the vehicle and traffic laws in an effort to decrease accidents."

Not only can aggressive driving result in a ticket if found violating the law, this type of behavior puts the driver and others in danger. New York State statistics show that aggressive driving behaviors -- chronic speeding, frequent and unsafe lane changes, refusal to signal, tailgating, failure to yield the right-of-way and disregard for traffic -- are a contributing factor in 59% of all crashes and in 66% of fatal crashes, when a cause is attributed.

Aggressive drivers are not a new phenomenon, but the stressful pace of modern life and the ever-growing volume of traffic have combined to make their behaviors increasingly reckless and hazardous. The State Police hopes the Traffic Safety Corridor patrols will make roads a safer place to travel thereby avoiding fatalities.