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Director's
Message I Message
Archive I
Biography |
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Director's
Message
June
2008 |
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Pam
Fischer
Director |
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Summer
Driving |
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Thank
you for taking the time to visit the Division
of Highway Traffic Safety’s web site. The
Division conducts comprehensive education and
public awareness campaigns and funds law enforcement
initiatives designed to address a broad array
of traffic safety issues that will reduce crashes
and ultimately save lives. |
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With
the Summer driving season upon us, there’s
no better time to reinforce the importance of
safe driving behaviors. One of the most effective
ways to accomplish this is through the national
Click it or Ticket seat belt campaign. |
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The
annual “buckle up” campaign, which
typically kicks-off the busy summer driving season,
ran from May 19 to June 1. Towns and cities throughout
the State conducted high visibility law enforcement
seat belt checkpoints and saturation patrols,
as well as local publicity designed to ensure
that drivers and passengers recognize the life-saving
value of seat belts. |
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While
the concentrated mobilization lasted for two weeks,
the Division’s goal is to have the campaign’s
message, to buckle up, every ride, resonate with
drivers and their passengers every day. Using
a seat belt is the simplest way for a motorist
and his or her passengers to protect themselves
when riding in a motor vehicle. Last year in New
Jersey, 211 of the 454 drivers and passengers
killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing
seat belts. Motor vehicle occupants who buckle-up
are between 45 and 75 percent less likely to face
life threatening injuries in a car crash. Those
statistics alone are reason enough to buckle-up,
not only this summer, but year-round. |
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As
the weather continues to get warmer, motorists
might also notice they’re not only sharing
the road with cars, but more motorcycles. To increase
public awareness about motorcycle safety, the
Division offers safety tips to ensure that all
who use our roads stay safe and free from harm.
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If
you’re on a motorcycle remember to: |
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Always wear an approved motorcycle helmet.
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Drive defensively. Always assume that a motorist
doesn’t see you, and make sure that
you can safely maneuver out of a situation.
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Make yourself visible by wearing bright clothing.
Don’t linger in blind spots.
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Give yourself time and space to react. Don’t
tailgate.
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Avoid sudden braking or turning when driving
on wet or gravel roads.
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Always drive in traffic lanes, never on the
shoulder.
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Reinforce your knowledge periodically by participating
in safety and skill courses.
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Never drink and drive.
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If
you’re driving in a car, truck or SUV,
remember to: |
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Be alert to motorcycles at all times, particularly
in heavy traffic.
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Anticipate the hazards a motorcycle will face,
such as poor road conditions or a slick surface.
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Keep a safe stopping distance between you
and the motorcycle. Don’t tailgate a
motorcycle. They require less stopping distance
then a car.
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We
hope you find this information helpful as you
plan your summer travel. The Division’s
web site has a wealth of information on a wide
array of traffic safety issues. Be sure to visit
our site often since new information is added
regularly, and feel free to download the free
educational materials. Enjoy the summer, and stay
safe, both on and off the road… and don’t
forget to buckle-up! |
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