Preventing drunk driving in Rochester, or any community for that matter, is an essential safety measure. According to the Department of Transportation, there are around 1.4 billion cars in the United States. Drunk driving is blamed for over 37 deaths every day in the United States. Prevention programs to stop drunk driving save lives. Here are some of the ways Rochester can get the problem under control.
1. Education Is Key
Prompting awareness is a key component of preventing drunk driving. Emphasizing the legal and personal consequences of drunk driving can persuade drivers to think twice before they get behind the wheel. Education about drunk driving and the potential fallout should start in schools.
Public service announcements at public gatherings can also help increase awareness of this risky behavior. Educating people on the risks of drunk driving is a first line of defense in preventing the behavior. Rochester’s community centers, schools, and workplaces are all ideal settings to provide educational materials about the risks of drunk driving.
2. Toughen the Laws
Rochester could toughen local laws to reduce the incidence of drunk driving. Tougher drunk driving laws can be an effective prevention tool. In Massachusetts, according to the State Attorney General, over 17,000 ignition interlock devices have been installed since Melanie’s Laws were passed in 2005. Melanie’s law requires that anyone caught driving drunk must have an ignition interlock system installed to continue to drive.
These devices require that the driver take a breathalyzer test before the ignition can be unlocked. Ignition interlock devices can reduce repeat offenses of the DUI laws. Stiffer penalties can be an easy way to keep people from drinking and driving in Rochester. If the laws were stricter for first-time offenders, it would prevent drivers from taking the risk.
3. Sobriety Checkpoints
Random sobriety checkpoints in Rochester can help to reduce the incidence of drunk driving. These checkpoints can get drunk drivers off the road before they have a chance to cause damage. Additionally, checkpoints can be a great tool for enforcing other driving laws. For example, according to Forbes, about one out of eight drivers do not have auto insurance. A checkpoint could help to remove drivers from the road that are uninsured, or that don’t have an operator’s license.
Sobriety checkpoints in Rochester are a powerful tool in making people think twice before they drive drunk. When word gets around that law enforcement is out looking for drunk drivers, it will give people pause. Checkpoints are a proactive way of keeping drunk drivers off the roads.
4. Promote Share Rides
Promoting shared-ride services in the community can help to prevent drunk driving. If people are aware that they can call a service to get them home safely, it might reduce the incidence of drunk driving in Rochester. Several ride-share options in Rochester are available. Educating people about the availability of ride-share options can help to prevent drunk driving.
Education about using designated drivers can also help prevent drunk driving. Setting up a reward system for people who use designated drivers may help in persuading people to avoid drinking and driving. Sometimes, you can get more results from using positive reinforcement than you do using penalties.
Preventing drinking and driving should be a priority for every community. Rochester can and should get the problem under control. By giving the problem-focused attention, injuries, property damage, and fatalities can be reduced. Drunk driving is a community plague that is costly in more ways than one. Rochester can get the problem under control.
The city of Rochester is gearing up for a few major construction projects that are all looking to change its current landscape and affordability. One program that will shift the housing market in Rochester is the Mission-Based Affordable Housing Partnership.
People of color in central New York aren’t getting a fair number of jobs in the construction industry, a local study finds. According to a new study by the Urban Jobs Task Force and the Legal Services of Central New York, there’s a major racial disparity in the New York construction industry despite people of color making up a quarter of the state population.
As some of you may have heard, bike share is coming to Rochester. I’ve considered writing about it all sorts of ways. I thought about mentioning how many other cities have it. Or how safe it is. Or even the specific plans for Rochester (warning: PDF). As you may have already guessed, I’m not about to do any of that. Instead, I’d like to discuss what bike share has meant for me over the past decade, and what it might mean for you too.
Somewhat unexpectedly, a fifth proposal for Midtown Parcel 5 was submitted. Spoiler alert, it’s, how to be polite about this, different. Ok, fine, it’s terrible. It’s bad. It’s terribad. It might even be a false flag operation to make the submitted proposals look better. I don’t know, but inexplicably it’s being taken seriously by parts of the city which is creating unrest with other parts of the city. I’d be calling for the popcorn if this weren’t the future of the middle of our town on the line.
Today’s Filling in is just a little bit different than usual. Instead of looking at one building or one site, we’re going to take a look at a whole block. Namely, Main Street from Clinton to St. Paul. If you hadn’t already heard, there is a huge event called The re:Main Social taking place there on October 1st. I hope all of you are able to make it. In the lead up to it, let’s discuss some short to long term visions for the area.
The City announced the Inner Loop RFP winners. The three proposals that won aren’t bad. No Great Wolf Lodge, at least. One of the sites is being held for a future RFP. Best of luck to all the winning proposals.
I don’t know of anyone in the world who loves parking—except maybe Lorraine Baines—but that’s not exactly the kind of parking I’m talking about here…
I’m talking about the hassle of cruising up and down the rows of a Wegmans parking lot, trying to squeeze in next to the hummer who decided he needed an extra couple of spaces, fighting the nine other drivers who won’t even entertain the thought of walking an extra twenty feet to pay $5 for a bottle of water.
Cuomo was in town to announce a sizable expansion of the Genesee Brewery. More details here. This is exciting for Genny and the region in general. One other small plug for a local firm – the design is being done by Pardi.
Welcome back, readers! In this edition of Filling In, let’s take another look at Parcel 5. Before we get started, quickly refresh by scouting the last time we discussed this site. I apologize in advance that this article probably isn’t going to cover much more about what I think should be done with the site, rather, what should probably not be done, and why…
Do me a favor. If you’re at home, step outside for a moment and take a good, long look at your driveway and garage (Don’t worry, the Internet will still be here when you get back). If you don’t have a driveway or garage, step outside and catch me a Charmander!
Did you do it? Did you stare intently at your driveway/garage situation? Great! Now, think about it for a moment and answer honestly: Does your car have a bigger bedroom than you do? Seriously. What percentage of the space that you own/rent/occupy is dedicated solely to vehicular storage? Your car isn’t paying rent. Why does it get the biggest room in the house?!
What else could you do with that space the garage sits on? A jam space for your band? Art studio? Game room? Greenhouse? The possibilities are many…
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After the Erie Canal was rerouted south of downtown Rochester, the Rochester
Industrial & Rapid Transit Railway (the subway) was built in
its place as a link between the five different railroads and interurban trolley
lines that served the Rochester area. As the industrial landscape of Rochester
changed, and highways replaced the railroads, the Rochester subway gradually
became a relic of a bygone era. In 1956 the subway was abandoned and much of
its route was converted into Interstate 490 built to connect Rochester
with the New York State Thruway (I-90). Read more about the history of the Rochester Subway.
RochesterSubway.com exists to help spark
public dialogue around how we can better connect the neighborhoods of Rochester
NY, surrounding communities, and their cultural offerings. Rochesters
future is written in her past. Let's rediscover it.