West
Trenton, N.J. - New Jersey State Police
statistics show that 188 people have died
in traffic-related accidents so far this
year (Jan. 1 through May 22, 2010), which
is down 12 percent from the 214 fatal accidents
this time last year. Part of that decline
can be attributed to a drop in motorcycle
and pedestrian fatalities, both of which
had spiked up in the last two years.
The 2010 Memorial Day holiday
officially begins at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May
28th and continues until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday,
June 1st. During the 2009 Memorial Day holiday,
seven persons lost their lives on New Jersey’s
roadways. Out of those seven fatalities,
six were found to have drug or alcohol impairment
as a contributing factor.
State Police Superintendent
Colonel Rick Fuentes hopes that a well-informed
and concerned public will do its part this
weekend to reach a zero fatality holiday.
"It is unacceptable to operate a vehicle
under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
when you drive impaired, you are putting
your life and your passenger's lives in
danger, and last year’s statistics
bear this out."
"Our enforcement efforts
this year will concentrate on the behaviors
that lead to fatal crashes. They include
intoxicated drivers, aggressive drivers,
seatbelt usage, cell phone violators, and
keeping pedestrians off the highways,"
added Fuentes.
In an effort to maintain
a safe driving environment throughout the
weekend, New Jersey troopers and local police
will take part in the "Click-It or
Ticket" campaign along with supplemental
DWI Patrols. Law enforcement will utilize
a zero tolerance approach with both of these
violations.
When motorists see flashing
lights on emergency vehicles, they need
to move over. New Jersey’s Move Over
Law states that drivers approaching stationary
emergency vehicles, tow trucks and other
highway safety vehicles displaying flashing
lights must move over one lane or, if not
safe to move over, slow down below the posted
speed limit. Emergency personnel deserve
the protection provided by this new law
and violators will be ticketed.
"The Memorial Day weekend
marks the start of the summer travel season,
so there's no better time to remind motorists
and their passengers of the life-saving
importance of always buckling up, regardless
of where they’re sitting in a vehicle,"
said Pam Fischer, Director of the Division
of Highway Traffic Safety. "Wearing
a seatbelt increases your chances of surviving
a crash by as much as 75 percent. Whether
you’re in the front seat or rear seat,
buckle up, not just for yourself, but for
your family, friends and everyone who is
counting on your safe return."
Troopers
and police officers will also be providing
traffic and boating safety tips. Along with
increased land-based safety responsibilities,
personnel assigned to the State Police Marine
Bureau will be patrolling all the waterways
throughout the summer boating season. Enforcement
activities will focus on boaters drinking
alcohol and persons recklessly operating
personal watercraft (jet skis) and other
powered vessels. Marine troopers will also
be checking to see that boat operators have
obtained the proper licenses to operate
watercraft. A good synopsis of boating requirements
can be found on the State Police website
at www.njsp.org
under boating safety.
Law enforcement's objective
is to save lives with the ultimate goal
of enjoying a fatality free Memorial Day
weekend.
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