GOSHEN – The Orange County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies in the county are participating in the “No Empty Chair Campaign” this week.
No Empty Chair is a teen driving safety enforcement campaign sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Council. The purpose of the directed enforcement is to educate and raise awareness of highway dangers, with the stated goal that there are no empty chairs during prom and graduation season.
“When your child gets their license, you hope and pray that each time they get behind the wheel, they will make it to their destination safely,” Arteta said. “Even if they follow all the rules and make all the right choices, there is always the risk that other drivers on the road won’t be doing the same. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize vehicle and traffic safety. We never want to see an empty chair at graduation because of a preventable accident.”
During the week-long campaign, the sheriff’s office will be focusing its efforts on the Minisink Valley Central School District, particularly during high traffic times in the morning and the afternoon. Each day of the week has a specific focus, including speeding in school zones, seat belt and child restraint, cell phone use and texting, and underage drinking.
As part of the enforcement,deputies will be partnering with the Minisink Valley Schools Transportation Department to ensure motorists are stopping for school buses as they pick up students.
