Cops push traffic safety

	TRR photo by David Hulse Yulan Fire Department and Eldred American Legion Ambulance Service volunteers are pictured on August 31 assisting motorcyclist Jerry Gialanella who suffered leg, back and facial injuries after he lost control of his motorcycle on a Route 55 turn south of the county public works facility at Barryville. Gialanella was transported to Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis for treatment following the 2:00 p.m. accident. (Click for larger image)

LIBERTY, NY — Over the Labor Day weekend New York State Police moved to intervene to reduce the increasing frequency of fatal highway accidents in Sullivan County.

Since June, there have been eight fatal automobile accidents in the county.

Alcohol played a role in two of these accidents, and excessive speed played a role in two. Beyond that, there has been no one consistent location or theme relative to these accidents, police say.

In an effort to increase awareness and safety through the holiday weekend, troopers in Sullivan County conducted widespread traffic safety road checks and DWI patrols.

From August 25 through mid-day on August 29, there had been 180 tickets issued related to these initiatives, mainly for speed, seat belt infractions and DWI.

There were no fatal accidents reported by state or county police agencies over the three-day weekend.