Police task force deployed as Kingston struggles with traffic safety

As Kingston continues to struggle with relatively high rates of traffic accidents, injuries and fatalities, Mayor Steven T. Noble announced a new Traffic Safety Unit of the Kingston Police Department will be hitting the streets.

“We have heard the concerns of the community loud and clear regarding traffic safety in Kingston. You all have asked for more traffic enforcement on our City streets to make the community a safer place to walk, bike and drive,” said Noble. “The goal of this new Traffic Safety Unit is to increase enforcement to make sure all of Kingston’s road users are following New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.”

Officers will be on the lookout for vehicles causing traffic hazards, safety belt violations, and other potentially dangerous driving, cycling or pedestrian behavior that may have previously been overlooked.

“Our officers will be out in full force, focusing on enforcement, education, and awareness to reduce speeding, impaired driving, and other dangerous behaviors,” said Police Chief Egidio Tinti. “Together, we can make Kingston’s streets safer for everyone.”

The task force also plans on setting up checkpoints to verify vehicle and driver safety, monitoring school crossing guards, and focusing their enforcement on “areas with high collision rates”.

Kingston has a number of notoriously difficult-to-navigate traffic areas, including a six-way intersection colloquially called “Five Ways to Die” where accidents are far more common than average. The city’s two traffic circles continue to mystify many visitors, resulting in collisions and a much greater number of near-misses. Broadway’s festival of traffic lights continues to perplex drivers who can often be seen driving through yellow flashing pedestrian crossing signals.

Officers have already received (or will receive) additional training in areas like identifying impaired driving and drug recognition, commercial vehicle enforcement, and crash management.

The Traffic Saftey Unit has already been hard at work, conducting 342 stops since the beginning of this year, including assisting in five crashes, making 13 arrests and issuing 111 warnings.