On Empire State Trail, let common sense guide you

Q: As a recent walker on the new Empire Trail here in Schodack/east Greenbush, I am very impressed. I do have a few questions, however. Apparently, there are “rules of the road” for the trail for both cyclists and walkers, which few seem to be aware of (such as a cyclist yelling out to walkers ahead that he or she is coming). Should the state be more aggressive in getting this information out?

Second, as winter approaches, will the state be clearing the trail of snow or leaving it for crosscountry skiers? If so, what plans are in place to monitor the inevitable snowmobilers from using what they would see as perfect trails? It's not hard to imagine the harm that could result from both using the trails at once. — Thomas Thornton Castelton

A: The state asks Empire State Trail visitors to follow commonsense safety rules when on the trail, according to Dan Keefe, public information officer for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

For example, cyclists should slow down when trails are busy to avoid collisions and call out or use a bell to alert walkers when passing. Bicyclists should also be aware that trail users, especially children, may make sudden movements without checking for bikers behind them, Keefe said.

More safety tips are available at https://empiretrail.ny.gov/ trail-safety.

The state and its local government partners will not be clearing snow from the trail, Keefe continued. It will be open yearround for winter uses like hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing as conditions allow.

Signs at each road crossing inform the public that snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trail.

2019 crash data: Traffic deaths decreased overall in 2019, according to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased to 28 percent of overall fatalities, the lowest percentage since 1982, when the agency began reporting alcohol data.

The 36,096 fatalities in 2019 represent a two percent decrease from 2018 fatalities, even as vehicle miles traveled increased by 0.8 percent. The fatality rate was the lowest since 2014.

Passenger vehicle occupants, pedestrians and cyclists all saw fewer fatalities. There was also a four percent decrease in urban deaths.

Fatalities increased among SUV occupants and in distraction-affected crashes.

The agency also released an

early estimate of traffic fatalities for the first half of 2020. Although the number of traffic fatalities is projected to decrease, there is a projected increase in the proportion of fatalities in rural areas, among people 16 to 24 years old and among occupants of cars 10 years and older. The only category that is projected to decrease is people 65 and older.

Route 4 bridge closure: The U.S. Route 4 bridge over the Hudson River between Northumberland and Greenwich will be closed for repairs starting Monday, Jan. 4, for about two weeks.

New toll rates: Toll increases went into effect on Jan. 1 for motorists who do not use E-zpass and on the Mario Cuomo Bridge.

Tolls on the bridge have increased by 50 cents to $5.25 for standard E-zpass users and will increase another 50 cents in 2022.

Toll by Mail customers will see a 30 percent increase in tolls and a $2 surcharge per billing statement.