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TagsState troopers want vehicle deaths to take a holiday over Memorial Day weekend
Statistics show that 188 people have died in traffic-related accidents so far this year as of Saturday, which is down 12 percent from the 214 fatal accidents during the same period last year, the State Police announced Thursday.
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 Memorial Day holiday officially begins at 6:00 p.m. Friday and continues until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday. 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 Col. Rick Fuentes said he hopes that the public will do its part this weekend to avoid any fatalities.
"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," Fuentes said."Our enforcement efforts this year will concentrate on the behaviors that lead to fatal crashes,'' the superintendent added. "They include intoxicated drivers, aggressive drivers, seatbelt usage, cell phone violators, and keeping pedestrians off the highways."
In an effort to maintain a safe driving environment throughout the weekend, troopers and local police will take part in the "Click-It or Ticket" campaign along with supplemental DWI Patrols. Troopers and local police will utilize a zero tolerance approach to the violations.
Fuentes said, when motorists see flashing lights on emergency vehicles, they need to move over as required by state law. He said emergency personnel deserve the protection provided by the 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," state Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer said. "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 local police 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 such as 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 under boating safety.
– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
