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For Immediate Release:  
For Further Information:
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June 23, 2008  

Maureen Sczpanski
609-984-2529

Office of The Attorney General
- Anne Milgram, Attorney General
Division of Highway Traffic Safety
- Pam Fischer, Director

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New Law Enforcement and Public Education Effort will Address Aggressive Driving Behaviors on Southern New Jersey Roads

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Trenton -- Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer today unveiled a new law enforcement and public education pilot program designed to deter aggressive driving behaviors on selected highway corridors in four southern New Jersey counties.

Known as “Smooth Operator,” the two-week concentrated initiative will run from June 23 through July 6 in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. The initiative will use both highly visible law enforcement patrols and public awareness materials, including ticket jackets, posters, handouts, and an on-line quiz to help motorists recognize aggressive driving behaviors and take steps to prevent them from occurring when they’re behind the wheel.

“Aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding, tailgating, red light running and improper passing, pose a grave risk to motorists,” Fischer said. “Excessive speed, the most common cause of aggressive driving associated with traffic crashes, was a contributing factor in 31 percent of all fatal crashes across the nation, killing nearly 1,000 people every month. In New Jersey in 2007, 25 percent of all fatal crashes involved traveling at unsafe speeds.”

The Division analyzed aggressive driver-related crash data from 2004-2006 in the four counties, with particular emphasis on crashes occurring on major corridors, including Rt. 130, Rt. 42, Rt. 73, and the Atlantic City Expressway. Based on this analysis, 23 municipalities were identified as having corridors with a high incidence of aggressive driver-related crashes.

Each municipality will receive a $6,000 grant to implement the program. State Police will also participate in the effort.

“The summer temperatures produce “hot heads” and “hot heads” have no place behind the wheel,” said New Jersey State Police Lt. Colonel Juan Mattos. “Through the Smooth Operator Program, we look to both enforce traffic laws and educate motorists. Our troopers will vigilantly patrol New Jersey’s roadways this summer to protect responsible drivers from the great dangers aggressive drivers pose.”

A regional public safety initiative, the Smooth Operator program was developed in 1997 by a group of law enforcement agencies in the Washington, D.C. area to help address the number one complaint of drivers in the northeastern United States, aggressive driving. Also implemented in Maryland, Virginia and most recently, Pennsylvania, the program helps to raise awareness about the deadly consequences of aggressive driving behaviors.

Posters and flyers that can be used by local law enforcement agencies and municipalities to publicize the initiative can be downloaded from the Division’s web site, at www.njsaferoads.com.

In addition, a 38-question quiz designed to help motorists determine if they are an “aggressive driver or a smooth operator” is also available on the web site. Questions include: “Do you maintain appropriate distance when following other vehicles, bicyclists, motorcyclists; provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles; yield to pedestrians; maintain speeds appropriate for conditions; yield and/or move to the right for emergency vehicles; avoid challenging other drivers; and, refrain from flashing your headlights to signal a desire to pass.”

According to national research conducted for the Smooth Operator program, most drivers indicated that in the past year they have personally seen aggressive driving so dangerous that it put others on the road at risk. Additionally, 55 percent of the motorists polled felt the problem was becoming worse. In New Jersey, 58 percent of motorists polled for a 2007 survey on driver attitudes and behavior believe aggressive driving and drunk driving are the top two issues facing drivers, and they support enforcement efforts in these areas.

Fischer also noted that factors contributing to aggressive driving include increased congestion on area roadways, both local and nationally.

“Impatience, hurrying, stress, and frustration can all work to create an unsafe driving environment for motorists, their passengers, and everyone sharing the road,” she added. “Smooth Operator will help New Jersey drivers become more aware of their own driving behaviors and ultimately make the roadways safer for everyone.”

A list of towns participating in the program is available on the Division’s web site.

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