Drivers Should Take Caution of Black Ice on Roadways

MattarMedia - Its an unseen danger on highways and roads when moisture mixes with freezing temperatures: we're talking black ice.

It was one reason for dozens of car crashes on several local interstates Saturday morning alone.

A crash on I-390 sent one woman to Strong Hospital with minor injuries.

"The more traffic that's on there it turns into water and then it refreezes and you get black ice," said Henrietta Fire Chief Jim Green. "There's a lot of black ice. We've been out here five times and that's just in the Henrietta district."

Even though roads may clear up, drivers say it can still be slick.

"When I was just driving right now turning on my road I slipped so I just slowed down, said Sheheryar Muhammad of Rochester.

Drivers say the most dangerous part about black ice is that you can't see it coming.

"When it's slick out obviously it's harder to stop and you don't realize that until all of a sudden you go to brake and it's like, oh, maybe I should slow it down a little bit," said Anwar Pickett of Rochester.

Experts suggest slowing down while driving during bad weather conditions, even if the roads look clear. They say if you begin to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal and dont slam on your brakes.

Pickett says he makes sure to be familiar with road conditions before stepping out.

Safe Winter Driving Tips

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Winter is a beautiful time of the year especially when a fresh layer of new snow covers everything.

Winter can also be a very dangerous time of the year. If you plan on traveling during the winter, it pays to prepare your vehicle for winter driving including having winter car supplies.

Just following some simple safe driving tips and using common sense while driving near snow plows could insure that you make your destination safety. However, be prepared for the unexpected. Know what to do In case you're stranded or in an accident.

Most Drivers Say They're King of the Road

Via MattarMedia - How do you rate yourself behind the wheel of a car? If you're like most drivers, you think think your skills are far better than others on the road. That's the finding of a new survey by psychologists at Ottawa University.

The superior rating may be good for the ego but could also mean big trouble for some drivers, particularly young men. Researchers say since many people overrate their driving abilities, it can make them less cautious and lead to more accidents.

In a breakdown of the data, all drivers --- men, women, young and old --- gave themselves a grade higher than that of the average motorist. Drivers aged 65 and older say they were far superior in a comparison with motorists in their same age group. Middle-aged men said they were better than other drivers their age and far better than younger and older drivers.

The results of the new survey are published in the journal "Accident Analysis and Prevention."

Train Crashes Into Car in Wayne County

Via MattarMedia - Wayne County Sheriff's deputies tell News 8 that a train has crashed into a car in Macedon.

Macedon Center Firefighters and Wayne County Sheriff's deputies say the incident happened at 6:20 a.m. near Canandaigua and Quaker Roads.

Canandaigua Road is closed.

No word yet on any injuries but we do have a crew on scene and will bring you the latest details as they become available.

Teenage girl sentenced in DWI fatality

Via MattarMedia LOCKPORT— Ashley M. Sullivan is in the Niagara County Jail today, and Facebook may be to blame as much as the car crash that killed a Niagara Falls man.

Sullivan, 17, of Linden Avenue, North Tonawanda, was sentenced Wednesday to six months in the County Jail and five years’ probation for crashing her car while drunk and killing her boyfriend May 30 on Sweeney Street in North Tonawanda.

She pleaded guilty Nov. 18 to criminally negligent homicide and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.

The Buffalo News has learned that Sullivan went to Florida a month after the crash and posted a photo on her Facebook Web page captioned, “Drunk in Florida.”

“I’m troubled by your conduct since the crash,” County Judge Matthew J. Murphy III told Sullivan, “and that’s the reason for the jail sentence.”

Murphy also refused to grant Sullivan youthful offender status for the same reason.

“I don’t believe the defendant has earned it,” the judge said.

Murphy, in reading the terms of probation, went out of his way to emphasize to Sullivan that she isn’t allowed to drink for the next five years.

“You’re 17 years old. You’re not old enough to drink,” Murphy said.

When defense attorney Glenn Murray said in court, “This young woman is remorseful,” someone laughed among a crowd of more than two dozen of the victim’s friends and relatives, drawing a reprimand from the judge.

Sullivan was drunk at 2:21 a. m. May 30, when she crashed her car into a brick pillar in front of Deerwood Golf Course. Her blood alcohol content was measured at 0.13 percent — the legal standard for intoxication is 0.08 percent—and her speed was estimated at 56 mph in a 30-mph zone.

Her boyfriend and passenger, Alex Rozicki, 20, of Niagara Falls, was killed.

“They say he died on impact. Sometimes I hear him screaming and then, silence,” Renee Rozicki, the victim’s mother, said in court. “I wonder if he felt any pain or fear.”

She said her son was a huge Buffalo Sabres fan and was buried with his Sabres jersey.

“Alex was an organ donor. He thought that from an early age that if anything happened to him, he could leave parts behind to give somebody a better life,” his mother said.

Deputy District Attorney Theodore A. Brenner said Renee Rozicki told a probation officer during the presentencing investigation that she would prefer a split sentence combining jail with probation.

“That’s awfully decent of her,” Brenner said, adding that the family opposed youthful-offender status.

Murphy, who could have sentenced Sullivan to up to four years in state prison, said his decision was difficult “because of the defendant’s extreme youth and her past history.”

He ordered that after Sullivan gets out of jail, she will be under electronic home monitoring for a year. He also revoked her driver’s license.

“My client failed to consider the consequences, the tragic consequences,” Murray said. “This offender understands the tragedy she is responsible for. She will never forgive herself.”

He said Sullivan had decided not to speak at the sentencing, although when Murphy asked her, Sullivan managed to say, “I’m very sorry,” before breaking down in tears.

The Rozicki family is expected to file a wrongful death suit against Sullivan. Attorney Robert Viola of Niagara Falls is handling that case.

Female Driver Seriously Injured in Three-Car Crash

Via MattarMedia - A female driver suffered serious head and internal injuries Wednesday morning after a three-car crash on Scottsville Road.

The collision happened around 7:30 a.m. Sheriff's deputies said Janelle Varin, 23, was traveling northbound, when witnesses said she entered the southbound lane colliding with a box truck.

The impact forced her vehicle into the opposite lane, where she was then hit by an SUV. The driver of the box truck left the scene; police are searching for that vehicle.

Varin is being treated at Strong Hospital, where she is listed in guarded condition.

The driver of the blue SUV was also taken to the hospital to be evaluated. A third driver also involved in the crash was not injured.

Scottsville Road was shut down for some time while sheriff's investigators reconstructed the accident.

Truck Driver Watching Porn in Fatal Crash

via MattarMedia (Rochester NY) - State Police say a tractor trailer driver was distracted by watching pornography when he hit and killed a woman on the thruway.

It's hard to imagine. You may remember this story from back in December. A 33-year-old woman hit a deer on the thruway and her car became disabled in the passing lane. She was only there a short time when a tractor trailer rear ended her vehicle, killing her.

Julie Stratton called police immediately after hitting a deer on the New york State thruway. The wife and mother from Snyder was only in the left lane a short time when a tractor trailer driven by this man struck her car from behind and killed her.

45-year-old Thomas Wallace from Ohio was arrested and charged with second degree manslaughter. Authorities say he was streaming pornographic movies on his laptop and watching them while he was driving. Not only that, investigators say he was violating federal regulations that commercial truck drivers need to abide by.

Capt. Michael Nigrelli of the NYS Police explained, "Mr. Wallace was in violation of the transportation law that determines how long you can drive a tractor trailer. It's for safety purposes. It was clear from the evidence that he had gone over the time period. In fact, in a 27-hour period it appeared that he had only been asleep for four hours."

Wallace was arraigned in Pembroke town court and remains in the Genesee County jail on $50,000 cash bail.

Questions linger around bad crash

Via MattarMedia - Police are investigating a bad crash in Cheektowaga.

It happened on Broadway near Union Road involving two cars. There's no word at this hour on any names or the extent of any injuries.

Toyota halts sales of 8 recalled vehicle models

Via MattarMedia WASHINGTON (AP) - Toyota is suspending U.S. sales of eight recalled vehicle models to fix accelerator pedals that stick.

As part of the plan, Toyota is halting production at five manufacturing facilities for the week of Feb. 1 "to assess and coordinate activities."

There are 2.3 million vehicles involved in the recall, which was announced last week.

The Japanese automaker says the sales suspension includes the 2009-2010 RAV4, the 2009-2010 Corolla, the 2009-2010 Matrix, the 2005-2010 Avalon, the 2007-2010 Camry, the 2010 Highlander, the 2007-2010 Tundra and the 2008-2010 Sequoia.

The recall came months after Toyota recalled 4.2 million vehicles due to gas pedals that could become trapped under floor mats, causing the vehicle to accelerate.

New Fedaral Law Bans Texting By Bus, Truck Drivers

Via MattarMedia Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) - The government has prohibited the operation of hand-held texting devices by drives of commercial trucks and buses. The ban is effective immediately and violators may be subject to civil or criminal penalties of up to $2,750.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said in a statement, "We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the roads with them to be safe." He added, "This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving."

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has found that drivers take their eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds out of every six seconds while texting. Researchers also say drivers who text are at least 20 times more likely to get in an accident than non-distracted drivers.

Nineteen states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, have passed laws that ban texting while driving. Six states, plus the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands, prohibit drivers from using hand-held devices while operating a vehicle.

Lawmakers nationwide are rapidly trying to catch up with recent advances the $1.4 trillion-U.S. telecommunications industry is making in cellular technology.

Officials say the likelihood of an accident as a result of a driver who is distracted due to texting is even higher than driving under the influence.

Proponents of the new laws say distracted drivers account for thousands of deaths and injuries across the country every year and property damage into the millions.

Police sergeant involved in crash

Via MattarMedia UTICA - A Utica police sergeant and the driver of another vehicle were injured Monday during a crash at the intersection of James and Kemble streets, Utica police said.

At about 4:40 p.m., Sgt. Donald Cinque was on his way to join a pursuit of another vehicle when the crash occurred, police said.

Details of the injuries, which were not life threatening, were not available Monday evening. The name of the other driver also was not available.

No tickets were issued, and an investigation is pending.

A police dog named Rock, who was traveling with Cinque was treated by a vet immediately and appears fine, police said.

Police declined to give details on the pursuit Cinque was headed to.

Eight hurt in Madison County crash

Via MattarMedia EATON, N.Y. - Eight people, including four children, are recovering after a two car crash in Madison County. It happened at the intersection of Routes 46 and 20 in the town of Eaton Friday night.

Deputies say Dustin Conkey, 19, drove through a stop sign at the intersection and was hit by car driven by Scott Wiley, 48.

A 14-year-old girl in Wiley's car was flown to University Hospital in Syracuse with serious leg injuries, and Scott Wiley had chest and neck injuries. Two other girls, ages 9 and 7, both had minor injuries.

The four people in Conkey's car, ranging in age from 11 to 21, are all expected to be okay.

Conkey now faces a number of charges, including passing a stop sign and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Deputies say alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Man Walks Away After Frightening 190 Crash

Via MattarMedia - A Cattaraugus county man is lucky to be alive and sharing his frightening story. Scott Swiezy says he'd been having transmission problems with his car and as he was driving south on the I-190 Saturday afternoon everything locked up on his car and the vehicle went flying off the highway. The car landed on Alabama Street and Swiezy says he felt like he was in a video game as it was happening and he was trying not to hit anything.

"I went over the median," describes Swiezy, "Bunch of fence pieces, small pine tree and I just tried to weave in between it and I was... and you can see I stopped a foot before that telephone pole and I slammed on the brakes and got out of the car, all people helped me out and that was that."

Swiezy walked away from the crash with just a small scratch on one knuckle.

Accident in Lewiston Leaves One Seriously Injured

Via MattarMedia LEWISTON, NY - A 17-year old Youngstown driver was seriously injured after his car slammed into a Department of Transportation truck. The accident happened Thursday afternoon on the Robert Moses Parkway just north of Lewiston.

"Iit appears from our preliminary investigation the dot truck was part of a work crew it had another vehicle travelling in front of it they were doing patch work so they were travelling a slow rate of speed when the other vehicle came up behind it and struck the dump truck from behind", Sgt. Frank Previte of the Lewiston Police Department told Eyewitness News.

17 year-old driver Michael Gifford was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC with leg and chest injuries. Police believe the cause of the accident may have been distracted driving.

"The preliminary investigation does indicate to us that he did not see or was distracted by something else because we did not find any skid marks or tire marks where there's obvious braking he did hit it at a fairly good rate of speed", said Sgt. Previte.

According to AAA driver inattention is a factor in more than 1 million crashes in north america annually, resulting in serious injuries, deaths and an economic impact reaching nearly $40 billion per year.

Triple-A also says using a cell phone while driving has been found to quadruple your risk of crashing.

"The operator also did have a cell phone that we found close to him in his proximity but we're not sure if an electronic device may have been involved either "texting" or cell phone we are in the process of checking those records to see what the timing is on that", Sgt. Previte said.

Last year state lawmakers made it illegal to text while driving, but even with the new law cellphones and texting continue to be a major cause of accidents.

"Preliminarily, we do believe there was some activity on that phone around that time", said Sgt. Previte.

Governor proposes cameras to catch speeding drivers

Via MattarMedia Syracuse - The state may have a new way to catch speeders and make money. Governor Paterson wants to use speed enforcement cameras in some work zones and other dangerous stretches of highway.

His budget plan includes plugging some of this year's budget gap with $25 million in new revenue from tickets issued to drivers caught by the cameras.

Syracuse Police's top traffic cop, Captain Shannon Trice, studies do show them to be a deterrent. "We usually get 80, 90's up on the highway when we do speed enforcement traps so something like this would be good and help us out tremendously because then we could maybe focus on other areas instead of spending so much time on the highway,” said Trice.

From those the cameras don't deter, the state would collect some much needed revenue. The Governor's budget plan calls for 40 cameras to be placed in work zones and another 10 in dangerous stretches of highway. Drivers caught by the cameras might not even know they're getting a ticket until it arrives in the mail. The Governor proposes the tickets would cost $50 if you're caught speeding by the cameras on any highway zone and $100 if you're caught fast in a work zone.

Man to learn fate for fatal DWI crash

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. - A southtowns man will learn his punishment for the drunk driving crash that killed an off duty Buffalo police officer.

Raymond Jamison Jr, 22, of Boston, will be sentenced for the accident that killed 39-year-old Officer Jose Colon.

Jamison pleaded guilty to DWI, criminally negligent homicide and vehicular assault.

He hit Colon on the Niagara Thruway, in July.

Suspect in road rage crash indicted by grand jury

Via MattarMedia Syracuse - Murder suspect William LeVea was indicted by a Cayuga County grand jury Wednesday for allegedly killing a man during a road rage incident in November.

Police say LeVea, 79, repeatedly slammed his car into the back of a pickup along Route 370 in Cato on Friday, November 20. They say this caused the driver of the pickup, Christopher Spack, 41, to loose control. Spack’s pickup was hit by an oncoming truck, and he died at the scene.

At a bail hearing earlier in December, LeVea's attorney said his client may have dementia or Alzheimer's. A competency exam showed LeVea is not suffering from any mental deficiencies, and was fit to stand trial.

LeVea was indicted on second degree murder, aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, two counts of reckless endangerment, two counts of assault, vehicular assault, two counts of driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and following too closely. If convicted on the murder charge, LeVea could face 25-years-to-life in prison.

LeVea is being held without bail in the Cayuga County Jail, and is due back in Cayuga County Court for an arraignment on January 28.

Teen Charged In Three Car Accident

Via MattarMedia LEWISTON, N.Y. - Police charged a Niagara Falls teen with following too closely after a three car collision in the town of Lewiston.

Police say 17-year-old Kyle Briggs hit another car from behind on Route 31. That vehicle spun around and hit a third car coming onto Route 31 from Miller Road.

Briggs was not hurt, but two other drivers and a passenger from other vehicles went to ECMC with injuries.

Grand Island Bridge 12 Car Accident

Via MattarMedia - A chain reaction accident this morning brought traffic to a stop around 7:15am.

As many as 12 cars collided in the passing lane of the South Grand Island Bridge. There was a report of at least one injury involved with this accident.

State Police are investigating and traffic is slowly clearing in this area.

CEO to Resume Work Following Serious Bicycle Accident

Via MattarMedia - Dr. Bradford Berk will once again resume his duties as CEO of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Dr. Berk was badly injured over the summer in a bicycle accident in Ontario County.

He has been going through therapy, and had started to ease himself back into the routine at Strong Hospital.

Dr. Berk will return as CEO on March 1st.

Car Crash Leaves Man in Critical Condition

via MattarMedia SALINA, N.Y. -- Investigators say a medical condition caused an accident in Salina overnight.

Jack Moebs, 52, of Baldwinsville was driving north on Cold Springs Road when he lost control of his car and crashed into the end of a guardrail. He was taken to University Hospital.

Moebs is listed in critical condition, but investigators say his injuries are not life-threatening.

Two-Vehicle Crash Sends One to Hospital

via MattarMedia SARATOGA, NY -- State Police and members of the Quaker Springs Fire Department responded to the scene of a two-vehicle accident that occurred at around 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday on Route 29.

The driver of a Chevrolet Impala, Robert Trossbach, 55, of Saratoga, was unable to stop as he approached the intersection of Beaver Street and Route 29, police said.

Trossbach's vehicle hit the rear axle of a tractor-trailer being driven by Christopher Putnam, 43, of Middleburgh, causing Trossbach's vehicle to spin into a ditch, according to police. Putnam was uninjured, but Trossbach was taken to Saratoga Hospital to be treated for neck and back pain, police said.

Trossbach was ticketed for driving at an unsafe speed, police said.

Massena man arrested after 2-car crash

Via MattarMedia - A Massena man faces a felony DWI charge after being involved in a personal injury accident.

Village police tell 99 Hits that 30 year old Daniel Robertson drove his vehicle into another vehicle on Talcott Street about 6:50 p.m. Monday. A person in the other vehicle was injured.

Robertson was charged with felony DWI, felony aggravated DWI, unlicensed operation, uninsured motor vehicle, speed not reasonable or prudent, unsafe tires and failure to stop for a stop sign.

He was arraigned and sent to St. Lawrence County jail with bail set at $10,000.

Crash injures driver, 17

Via MattarMedia - A 17-year-old girl was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital Monday afternoon after she was injured in a two-car crash at Route 31 and Bernabi Road in Ogden.

She was heading south on Bernabi about noon when she drove around a vehicle stopped at a stop sign and into Route 31 where her car was hit by a westbound vehicle, said Ogden police Officer Michael Roland.

The other driver, a 27-year-old man, was not injured, said Roland, who did not release the names of the drivers. The teen did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

The crash is under investigation.

Woman Charged With DWI, Impersonation

via MattarMedia AUBURN, NY - State Police in Auburn stopped a vehicle whose driver appeared to be intoxicated.

24-year-old Jenna L. Albanese of Main Street in Moravia was charged with DWI with a .13% BAC, unlicensed operation, and second degree criminal impersonation.

Albanese is accused of giving a false name to hide the fact there was a warrant for her arrest.

She was given an appearance ticket for Auburn City Court and turned over to Auburn Police to answer their warrant.

Troy Teacher Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter

via MattarMedia TROY, NY -- Police today arrested a city woman, a local teacher, who is wanted for vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence charges in Florida.

Deborah Terrero, 53, was arrested at her 554 Congress St. home on a warrant from Pasco County, Fla., for an April 5 crash there that killed a 38-year-old woman riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, said police spokesman Sgt. Terry Buchanan.

Terrero, a teacher at Hackett Middle School in Albany, was arrested on a fugitive from justice warrant, Buchanan said.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Terrero and passenger Meghan Flareau, 24, of Hudson, where riding in Terrero's 1999 Ford SUV west on Oakley Avenue at 2 a.m. that day and ran a stop sign at the intersection with U.S. Route 19.

A motorcycle driven by Kenneth Dillon, 48, of Port Richey hit the SUV. Dillon's passenger Nicole Cetrangolo, 38, of New Port Richey was killed.

Dillon was seriously injured. Terrero and Flareau were not injured.

The accident was under investigation and the highway patrol issued a warrant for Terrero's arrest on Dec. 21, Buchanan said.

Terrero will be held pending an extradition hearing in coming days, Buchanan said.

10-85 Echo

Via MattarMedia - Twenty-eight percent of traffic accidents occur when people talk on cellphones or send text messages while driving, according to a study released Tuesday by the National Safety Council. The vast majority of those crashes, 1.4 million annually, are caused by cellphone conversations, and 200,000 are blamed on text messaging, according to the report from the council, a nonprofit group recognized by congressional charter as a leader on safety. Virtually everyone owns a cellphone, and it?s evident to anyone who drives regularly that huge numbers of people, including some who support a ban, use them while driving. Persuading people to break that habit will be a tall order.

Glenn Falls Man Arrested Eight Times For DWI

via MattarMedia GLENN FALLS, NY - 51-year-old Anthony Daniger was pulled over again early tuesday morning after police allegedly saw him veering in and out of the road on Ridge and Glen streets in Glens Falls.

He had a valid driver's license despite being arrested seven other times for DWI.

He refused a breathalyzer, and was arraigned Tuesday morning on DWI charges in Glens Falls city court.

Every 15 Minutes

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In the United States, approximately 10% of all vehicle crashes recorded by the authorities are caused due to the driver being under the influence of alcohol.

Drunk driving among teenagers produce some alarming statistics. Of 12,998 drinking driving fatalities in the United States in 2007, 1,393 were caused due to teen drinking and driving. About 28% of teenagers killed in motor vehicle crashes were drinking either before or while they were driving. 64% of teenagers who were involved in fatal drunk driving crashes were reportedly not wearing their seat belts. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths among teenagers and fatalities caused by teens drinking and driving constituted 40% of all alcohol-related fatalities in the United States.

For more information on drunk driving prevention visit www.Mattar.com

Off-Duty Officer Injured in Snowmobile Crash

Via MattarMedia - A snowmobile accident on Sacandaga Lake sends an off-duty East Greenbush police officer to the hospital.

Police say 48-year-old Edward Miano's snowmobile clipped 45-year-old Joe Kelly's snowmobile.

That caused Miano to fall off and hit his head on the ice.

He was flown to Albany Med and is currently listed in stable condition.

Kelly was not seriously hurt and was treated at the scene.

Both men were wearing helmets at the time of the crash.

Utica man in serious condition after snowmobile-truck accident

Via MattarMedia MARCY, N.Y. - A Utica man is in serious condition after police say his snowmobile crossed into the lane of an oncoming truck on Barnes Avenue late Friday night.

New York State Police say that 21-year-old Shane Young was traveling south in the northbound lane of Barnes Avenue in the Town of Marcy.

According to authorities, Young was unable to make a turn and crossed in front of a truck being driven by 21-year-old Jonathon Hare.

Young's snowmobile was hit by the truck. Young was sent to St. Elizabeth Medical Center after sustaining injuries to his back, neck and leg injuries.

A spokesperson for the hospital says Young is listed in serious condition.

An investigation into the accident is continuing.

Robbery Suspect Crashes Stolen Car, Flees

Via MattarMedia Rochester, N.Y. - An armed robbery, a police chase, a stolen car crashed and a suspect gone.

Rochester Police are involving a bizarre chain of events that happened Thursday night.

It started on Hudson Avenue, where several people robbed a store at gunpoint. Police say at least one of the suspects then stole a vehicle and took off.

A state police trooper spotted the vehicle and pursued it to Carter Street, where the suspect vehicle hit a light pole. The suspect ran away.

Police set up a perimiter in the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.

No one has been arrested.

Bad Roads Cost Rochester Drivers $600/year in Car Costs

Via MattarMedia Rochester, N.Y. - If driving is the subject, a stretch of University Avenue between Main Street and Winton Avenue warrants an "F". It is an uneven patchwork of pothole repairs.

An agency called TRIP (a national transportation research group) saves equal criticism for some bridges, like the now closed Smith Street bridge over the Erie Canal in Brockport. The report concludes 19 percent of Rochester-area roads and 27 percent of bridges are in poor condition.

The research was financed by builders and trades unions - people who benefit financially from road construction.

The state Department of Transportation is critical of some of the analysis. For example, the numbers are compiled from inspections and accident data as old as 2008, and do not consider dozens of projects paid for with federal stimulus funds.

Since the last TRIP report, for example, the 490 overpass at Mount Read Blvd. has been completely re-built. For nearly five years it had been shored up with wooden shims -- like a giant Jenga game.

"I wanted to go from one side to the other as quickly as possible and just get out from under it,” says David Olsen who drives that route every day. “What they're doing now is like brand new."

Yet when the snow clears, the potholes come out, and drivers know problems on the roads can send them to the repair shop. The TRIP report calculates Rochester drivers pay $318 a year for vehicle repair costs because of the road conditions and another $303 a year to cover for accidents, and increased insurance costs.

“The public is better off paying to have smooth roads than they are paying to replace a vehicle because of beaten up roads,” says Frank Moretti of TRIP.

To pay for road and bridge upgrades one contractors' group suggests raising car registration fees to $150 a year. But others say if the fees already collected by the state were used for what they’re supposed to be, it would make a huge difference.

“The dedicated funds that were supposed to be used from the highway tax are used for everything but that,” says Ken Warner executive director of UNICON, an umbrella group for Rochester unions.

Cop Injured in Crash

Via MattarMedia - Some tense moments for a police officer in a car crash as rescue crews worked to free him from the crushed cruiser.

We're told the accident happened at at Quail and Mercer streets in Albany this afternoon.

Officer Joseph Poole suffered minor injuries, despite how bad the crash looks.

Man Arrested Eight Times For DWI

Via MattarMedia - 51-year-old Anthony Daniger was pulled over again early Tuesday morning after police allegedly saw him veering in and out of the road on Ridge and Glen streets in Glens Falls.

He had a valid driver's license despite being arrested seven other times for DWI.

He refused a breathalyzer, and was arraigned Tuesday morning on DWI charges in Glens Falls city court.

Two Hospitalized after Monday Morning Crash

Via MattarMedia - An early morning accident sent 2 people to the hospital Monday.

It happened on Elm Street in East Rochester just before 3:30 a.m.

A navy blue SUV sustained a significant amount of damage.

No word yet on the crash victim's conditions or what led to the crash.

Snowmobile accidents highlight importance of safety

Via MattarMedia - First a Lewis County woman was injured on one and now a Herkimer County man is dead after being thrown from one. Both accidents involved snowmobiles. These two accidents both within the past two days, bring to light the importance of safety while you ride.

To drive that message home even more this week, officials are going to be talking about safe riding-- during International Snowmobile Safety Week.

State Park officials say most of New York's 140,000 registered snowmobiles are operated by safe riders.

Unsafe speeds and alcohol are the leading cause of all snowmobile accidents.

Here are some tips according to GoSnowmobiling.org:

1. Snowmobiling and alcohol don't mix-don't drink and ride
2. Know before you go! Always check local ice conditions
3. When night riding, slow down! Expect the unexpected
4. Ride safe, stay on the trail. Respect private property
5. Know the risks and be prepared. And make every trip a round trip.
6. Cross with care-don't become road-kill
7. Snowmobiling is a fun family life-style activity, join us today
8. Ride smart, ride right, stay in control
9. One is the loneliest number, never ride alone
10. Promote your right to ride-get involved
11. Smart riders are safe riders, take snowmobile safety training
12. Snowmobiling: A way to connect with family and friends

Two injured in East Rochester car accident

Via MattarMedia - Two people were taken to the hospital after an accident early Monday morning in East Rochester.

We got to East Elm Street around 3:30 a.m. where we saw a damaged SUV. The driver lost control and hit a pole.

Right now we are trying to find out more information, including the extent of the injuries.

Minivan Crashes into Moving Train in Macedon

Via MattarMedia - No one was hurt after a minivan crashed into a moving train in Macedon Sunday.

A CSX freight train was moving through Macedon around 7:30 p.m.

Police say a minivan was going north on Daansen Road when the driver, 24-year-old Kieth Fredeburg of Palmyra, didn't slow down at the top of the hill near the railroad tracks.

The train was going about 40 miles an hour when the minivan crashed into it. The front end of the minivan was crushed and got wedged below the crossing gate and the train.

Fredeburg was not injured and could get out of the van on his own. Police gave him a traffic ticket. Crews took about an hour to move the van from the scene.

The train was not damaged.

This is the second train vs. vehicle accident in Macedon within a week's time.

Macedon Police Chief John Colella says this should be a reminder to drivers. He says they need to be careful driving near railroad tracks. "We have been fortunate to date that the drivers of the vehicles that were struck have sustained no injuries."

Colton man hurt in snowmobile crash

Via MattarMedia - A Colton man has serious injuries from a snowmobile accident early Sunday morning.

The Sheriff's Department says 22 year old Wesley Frank was thrown from his sled after sideswiping guardrails on State Route 68 in Pierrepont about 2:47 a.m.

He was taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital with multiple injuries, then transferred to Fletcher-Allen in Burlington.

The investigation is continuing.

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Two arrested following road rage incident; driver charged with DWI

Via MattarMedia NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. - Two men are under arrest after authorities say one of them cut off another car, and then crashed.

New Hartford Police say around 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, they noticed a blue Dodge Neon quickly change lanes and cut in front of another vehicle heading east on Route 5. After, the car struck a curb, spun out of control and stopped in the center of the road.

The car's driver, Dale F. Pfendler, 26, of Chadwicks was arrested for DWI, reckless driving, following too closely and failing to maintain a lane.

His passenger, Francis Hoyt, 26, of Utica refused to get out of the car when a tow truck arrived. Following a brief struggle, Hoyt was arrested and charged with obstructing governmental administration, and resisting arrest.

Pfendler was released with traffic tickets and will be back in court at a later date.

Hoyt was arraigned and sent to the Oneida County Jail on $2,000 bail.

Train hits car on Route 5, minor injury

Via MattarMedia Auburn - Cayuga County 911 confirms that a train hit a car along Route 5, east of Auburn, causing minor injuries to one person.

The train was traveling at about 8 or 9 miles and hour at the time, and hit the front of the car because it was out a little too far at the intersection of the road and the tracks.

The train is stopped and blocking Hidden Valley Boulevard

via MattarMedia -BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) -- 23-year old Michael O'Connor will serve 1-year in jail after killing a man in a DWI accident back in 2008.

O'Connor was sentenced today in court on charges stemming from the incident that killed 51-year old Thomas Hajduk after a Bills game in November of 2008.

O'Connor had dropped off some friends in Lancanster and struck Hajduk while he was walking his dog on Aurora Street.

O'Connor expressed remorse in the court room before sentencing, however the victim's family says O'Connor already had a second chance after being convicted of prior DWI offense.

Driver Using Cell Phone Involved in Crash

via MattarMedia - Binghamton,NY (WBNG)

Binghamton,NY (WBNG Binghamton) Careless driving sends one person to the hospital after after a one car crash in Binghamton.

Emergency crews responded to the scene on I-81 North shortly before 9am Thursday morning.

The driver was using his cell phone while attempting to take exit 3.

He hit the guard rail, lost control, and ended up off the road.He was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Crash involves school bus, two cars

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. - Slippery conditions could also be behind an accident involving a school bus on the Scajaquada Expressway, Wednesday morning.

Police were called to the ramp from the 198 to Elmwood Avenue around 9 a.m. for an accident between a small bus and two other cars.

There's no word on any injuries.

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Woman Injured In Rollover Accident

Via MattarMedia - An accident in the town of Watertown sent a woman to the hospital Tuesday afternoon.

The mishap occurred at the intersection of County Route 67 (also known as Brookside Drive) and Cook Road at approximately 12:30 p.m.

According to Captain Vincent Hughes of the town fire department, a middle aged woman flipped her car, which landed on its roof.

He said bystanders went to the woman's aid before rescue personnel arrived and cut her seatbelt.

The woman was able to pull herself out of the wreckage, Hughes said.

According to Hughes, the woman was taken to Samaritan Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

There's no word on the name of the woman or how the accident happened.

Student talks of ride with drunk driver

Via MattarMedia ALFRED, N.Y. - It was a terrifying school bus ride with a drunk driver behind the wheel. We hear from one of the students who escaped the frightening ordeal.

"You're fine, back up, clam down guys. It's all right, you're okay," said Grace.

That's 15-year-old Grace Scherzer, trying to keep the driver and everyone calm on the school bus ride home last May. The one that 55-year-old driver Martha Thompson was just sentenced to 12 weekends in jail for driving drunk with dozens of children on board.

Grace said, "And we're going 70 MPH through there swerving without looking. Thankfully that there was no cars."

They pleaded for her to stop but the driver didn't want to hear it.

Thompson said, "Will you guys stop!"

And Grace responds, "Well, you're not okay, and I know it."

Chelsea Pierce, a freshman at Alfred-Almond High School, called her mom from the bus.

Chelsea said, "Mom our driver isn't driving right, there's something wrong and we all knew it, and she could hear everybody in the background screaming."

Finally, Grace opened the emergency exit at the back of the bus.

"Well, I was the first one out. I jumped and I was helping her get all the kids out, and then I brought them all to the side of the road, and told them to get off the road," said Grace.

Thompson then drove the bus back to the garage, and later had a .15 blood alcohol content, but the children, some as young six, were unhurt.

Grace's father Robert Scherzer said, "The girls really acted heroically. They did a pretty admirable thing. I think it's kind of hard to ignore that fact."

Driver ticketed in four-car crash

Via MattarMedia MARCY, N.Y. - A four car collision in Marcy has sent two people to the hospital.

Oneida County Sheriff's say the car crash happened when a snow plow stopped traffic and a driver didn't slow down in time.

This all took place Monday afternoon on Route 49 in Marcy. They say Samantha Stevenson of Utica collided with another driver. In a domino effect, two more cars were hit. Stevenson and another driver were rushed to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Stevenson was ticketed for failing to reduce speed for an emergency vehicle.

Greece man charged under Leandra's Law

Via MattarMedia - A man has been arrested for driving under the influence and that’s not all. Police say he had a young relative sitting on his lap while he was trying to drive home.

Thomas Richardson is charged with DWI, harassment and resisting arrest in addition to endangering the welfare of a child. Police tried to pull Richardson over early Sunday morning but he drove right to his house on Williston Road and was arrested there.

The DWI charge is even more serious because a new law makes it a felony when anyone under the age of 15 is in the vehicle.

Richardson is in jail on $2,500 bail and has a preliminary hearing on Thursday.

Driver loses control, plows into sign

Via MattarMedia AMHERST, N.Y. - Black ice was a major concern for local drivers over night.

One driver can tell you first hand.

She lost control while on French Road in Amherst Saturday night, plowed into a sign, and narrowly missed hitting a house and other nearby cars.

Luckily no one was hurt.

Icy roads cause of roll over crash

Via MattarMedia BUFFALO, N.Y. - There may not be a lot of snow on the roadways but black ice is creating treacherous driving conditions around Western New York.

One driver encountered it for themselves while on Main Street in Buffalo.

The driver apparently hit a slick spot and rolled their mini-van right across from Canisius College.

Their name and condition have not yet been released.