Trenton
-- With the winter driving season upon us,
highway safety and law enforcement officials
today reminded motorists to always clear ice
and snow from their vehicles before traveling
on New Jersey’s roadways and to use
extra caution and care when driving in inclement
weather.
According
to Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director
Pam Fischer, snow and ice left on a vehicle
can become deadly projectiles, causing significant
and costly damage to other vehicles and potentially
fatal injuries to motorists and their passengers.
“Before
you get behind the wheel, take a few moments
to completely clear your vehicle’s hood,
windows and roof,” Fischer said. “This
simple task can be a lifesaver for you and
everyone else on the road.”
Under
current state law, motorists who fail to remove
ice and snow from their vehicles and cause
property damage or injury to others can be
cited and fined $200 to as much as $1,000
per offense. In addition, on October 19, 2009,
Governor Jon S. Corzine signed into law legislation
amending the current statute; drivers of all
vehicles (commercial and passenger) operated
on any roadway in the state are required to
make all reasonable efforts to remove accumulated
snow and ice from all exposed surfaces prior
to operation. While the change goes into effect
on October 20, 2010, state officials remind
all motorists to be pro-active and ensure
that their vehicles are clear of all winter
debris before taking to the road.
“I
firmly believe in the enforcement of this
law because in December of 2007, a large slab
of ice flew off a car in front of me and came
through my windshield,” stated Lieutenant
Colonel Juan Mattos, Deputy Superintendent
of Operations for the New Jersey State Police.
“I had glass all over me and had a tough
time getting my car safely to the side of
the road. I could have been severely injured
or even killed because of that driver's laziness,”
Mattos recounted.
“That’s
why clearing your vehicle of ice and snow
should be as basic as putting a jacket on
before you leave the house. It's a couple
of minutes well spent to help keep you, and
others safe,” Lt. Colonel Mattos added.
In
addition to making sure that all ice and snow
is removed from your vehicle, motorists should
modify their driving behavior based on current
weather conditions.
“Each
year in New Jersey, more than 75,000 crashes
occur on snow and ice covered roads, resulting
in an average of 10 lives lost and nearly
20,000 injuries,” Director Fischer said.
“While it’s always safest to stay
off the road in bad weather, if you must travel,
slow down, particularly on exit ramps and
bridges; leave ample travel time; allow extra
space between your vehicle and others on the
road; make sure you turn on your headlights,
using low beams when driving in snow; and,
buckle-up, every ride.”
“The
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)
is ready to combat winter storms by clearing
our roads, preventing ice formation and maintaining
mobility and safety statewide," said
Commissioner Stephen Dilts. “NJDOT crews
will combine innovative technology and their
tremendous experience to fight the winter
conditions.”
In anticipation of the inclement weather,
motorists are also encouraged to:
- Tune
up and winterize their vehicles, as well
as check the radiator, battery, antifreeze,
and all other fluid levels.
-
Check tire treads and replace them if they’re
unsafe.
-
Check and replace windshield wiper blades
if the rubber is cracked and/or brittle.
And be sure to check and refill the washer
fluid reservoir.
-
Maintain at least a half a tank of gas during
the winter to prevent the fuel line from
freezing.
Motorists
should also keep a winter driving “safety
kit” in their vehicles that is easily
accessible in the event of an emergency. The
kit should include: an ice scraper/brush;
shovel; jumper cables or battery starter;
warm blanket; sand, salt or cat litter (for
traction in ice and snow); lock de-icer; safety
flares/warning devices; flashlight and new
batteries; extra windshield washer fluid;
cell phone with a charged spare battery; water
and non-perishable food (i.e. granola or protein
bars) and, paper towels or a cloth.
A
palm card reminding motorists to remove ice
and snow before you go, along with other winter
driving safety tips, will be distributed by
state and local law enforcement officials,
at AAA offices and other traffic safety agencies
throughout the state. The card, as well as
a related poster, can be downloaded from the
Division of Highway Traffic Safety’s
web site at www.njsaferoads.com.
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