Central Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, January 3, 2005

STAYING THE COURSE IN 2005

Parks has a large and diverse fleet of nearly 2,400 vehicles and 3,476 authorized drivers. In the last two years, we have focused on vehicle safety through the mandatory vehicle safety review, the Good Operator (GO) awards, our Safety Reminders program, and through equipment purchases including GEM carts, additional safety mirrors and amber safety lights.

We have seen some success. Parkies have reduced the number of preventable vehicle accidents year to date, from 258 in 2002, to 213 in 2003, to 177 in 2004, an improvement of more than 30% over two years.

Still, even one preventable accident is too many and challenges remain. 86 of the preventable accidents in 2004 had no cause except basic carelessness. Many of the preventable accidents involved non-moving objects such as parked cars, light poles, walls, and trees. The next largest cause of accidents were rear-ends, where we simply fail to maintain a safe distance behind cars in front of us. Preventable accidents can cause physical injury as well as creating litigation against the City that we all pay for. As well, too many of our vehicles, new and old, provide long term reminders of these accidents in unsightly and costly dents, scratches, cracks, and bangs. How our vehicles look impact the public perception of us, and affects our pride in our equipment.

We must continue to do better. Here's how! Always use a guide in tight spaces or in active use areas. Do your pre-trip inspections. Never operate a vehicle without proper licensing - all vehicles except trailers need two license plates. Pay attention to the road at all times while driving. Don't eat, drink, smoke, or use a cellular phone while in motion. And always use your seatbelt!

Additional resources are at hand. Defensive driving classes are being offered in all five boroughs. We want all employees who drive Parks vehicles to take defensive driving if they have not done so in the last three years through Parks or an outside source. Ask your supervisor to arrange a class with your borough coordinator. The classes are free, and will take up to 4 points off your license if applicable. The 5 Boro Operations and Frontiers Intranet sites have comprehensive equipment safety reminders. Safe drivers will continue to be recognized for their road performance and care for equipment. Many field trucks are being equipped with amber light bars and extra safety mirrors; more are available upon request. Finally, the Regulations for Parks Vehicles and road evaluations are still being administered to new drivers.

Driving is an important part of what we do and New York City is a challenging City to drive in. In everything you do, think about vehicle safety and go the extra mile to keep yourself and the public safe.

Written By Mahanth Joishy and Keith T. Kerman

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Robert Frost
(1874 – 1963)

Know Before You Go

Harlem Meer Center (formerly Lasker Rink)

Harlem Meer Center