TRENTON
– As motorists begin to pack up their
cars and drive in droves to visit family and
friends for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday,
the Division of Highway Traffic Safety today
urged drivers to exercise good driving habits
during their travels. “We
want everyone to enjoy the holiday and arrive
at their destination safely, so drivers
need to be mindful of their driving habits
and look out for those they share the road
with,” Division of Highway Traffic
Safety Acting Director Gary Poedubicky said.
“The
temptation to drink and drive may be there
during the holidays, but there is simply
no excuse for it. Any time you drink and
drive, you are putting yourself, your family
and the public at large in great danger,”
Poedubicky said.
He
also urged motorists to keep their eyes
on the road and not drive distracted. He
urged drivers not to talk on the phone while
driving and said that texting while driving
is illegal in New Jersey.
The official Thanksgiving Day holiday period
begins tomorrow at 6 p.m. and ends at 11:59
p.m. on Sunday. Last year, five people in
New Jersey died during this period. Four
of those deaths were in traffic crashes
involving alcohol or drugs.
Poedubicky
said that seat belt use was the most effective
way to reduce the risk of injury or death
in a crash. Buckling up is the single most
effective way for a motor vehicle occupant
to avoid death or serious injury in a crash.
It reduces the risk of fatal injury by 45
percent and moderate or critical injury
by 50 percent.
The
Division offered the following tips to ensure
a safe Thanksgiving holiday for motorists:
-
Always buckle up, every
ride, regardless of your seating position
in the vehicle. It’s your best defense
against an impaired driver.
- Never
consume alcohol and drive, and
if you’re going to drink, arrange
for a designated driver to take you home.
- Report
impaired drivers to law enforcement.
In New Jersey, drivers may dial #77 to
report a drunk or aggressive driver.
-
If you feel drowsy while driving,
pull over and find a safe place to address
your condition.
In
addition, New Jersey State Police Superintendent
Colonel Rick Fuentes reminded motorists
to obey New Jersey’s “Move Over”
law.
“Drivers
need to be aware of Troopers and other service
related employees working on the roadways
assisting those in need. Please protect
those who are serving and protecting you
by using caution when approaching vehicles
displaying emergency or flashing lights,”
said Colonel Fuentes.
The
“Move Over” law requires motor
vehicle operators to reduce their speed
and change lanes when approaching authorized
vehicles displaying emergency lights. Such
vehicles include police, fire and medical
services vehicles, and also highway maintenance,
tow trucks and official motorist aid vehicles
displaying amber emergency lights. Where
possible, drivers are required to move over
to create an empty lane next to the emergency
vehicle. When safely changing lanes is not
possible, drivers must slow down below the
posted speed limit prior to passing emergency
vehicles. Drivers should also be prepared
to stop, if necessary.
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