newjerseynewsroom.com

445 people have died this year, up by 27 for same period in 2010

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

More motorists have died on New Jersey roadways this year than during the same period in 2010, according to figures provided by the State Police Monday.

As of Oct. 2, 445 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle related crashes, up from 418 during that same time last year.

Monday is “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” and police are hoping the day would pass without a highway death as motorists practice safe driving.

The fatality-free day was darkened by the death of Fernando DeAlmeida, 41, of Elizabeth who died at 12:15 a.m. from injuries he sustained late Sunday night in Newark, when the motorcycle he was steering collided with a car being driven by an 86-year-old city resident.

DeAlmeida was traveling south on Dayton Street, next to Weequahic Park, when the accident occurred. He was taken to University Hospital in Newark where he died.

No charges were filed against the driver, whose name was not released by authorities.

Last year in New Jersey, 556 people lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, down from 583 in 2009. The decline continued a four-year downward trend in motor vehicle fatalities and marked the lowest number of recorded traffic deaths in the state since the 1940s.

However, 2011 year-to-date state fatality statistics are more dismal in contrast.

“The current fatality statistics should serve as a sobering reminder that some drivers in the state of New Jersey still continue to exhibit unsafe driving habits,” Col. Rick Fuentes, State Police Superintendent, said. “Important initiatives like Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day will undoubtedly raise driver awareness and encourage a change from dangerous driver behaviors that contribute to fatal motor vehicle accidents. Only by changing dangerous and irresponsible driving behavior can New Jersey reach the ultimate goal of a fatality free year.”