HOME | NEWS & EVENTS | PUBLIC INFORMATION  
graphic News and Events graphic
  NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE
OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE

 
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2001
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

John R. Hagerty, State Police Public Information Office
(609) 882-2000 x6515
Sgt. Al Della Fave
(609) 882-2000 x6514

NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE FOCUS ON HIGHWAY SAFETY &
DRUNK DRIVING ENFORCEMENT DURING THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY


Troopers Remain On Heightened Alert; Patrol Assignments Adjusted

       W. Trenton - Colonel Carson J. Dunbar, Jr., Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Peter J. O'Hagan, Director, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, today issued a holiday safety reminder that state troopers and municipal police officers will be working around the clock to improve highway safety and to decrease traffic fatalities throughout the 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday.

        Col. Dunbar noted that in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11, the State Police remain on heightened alert status, providing additional security and related law enforcement responsibilities at area airports, bridges and river crossings, nuclear facilities and related infrastructure locations throughout New Jersey. In addition to the added security-related responsibilities, State Police patrol schedules have been adjusted in order to provide increased uniformed patrols on all toll roads, interstate highways and secondary roadways - the increased highway safety effort is part of the annual holiday program geared to increase the number and visibility of State Police patrols aiding travelers driving in and around the state.

       Throughout the 2001 Thanksgiving holiday period, state troopers will conduct high visibility traffic patrols using mobile radar and other specialized speed enforcement technology. Troopers will also be moving around the state via mobile patrols in an all-out effort to identify drunk and drinking drivers. To maximize the efforts, State Police, in conjunction with municipal police departments, will set-up sobriety checkpoints in targeted areas, high traffic areas.

        As state troopers undertake increased patrol-related responsibilities, Dunbar reminded motorists that along with issuing common sense safety tips, troopers will also be issuing summonses for violations of New Jersey's motor vehicle laws and regulations, including speeding, drunk driving, aggressive and careless driving and seat belt violations.

        The 2001 Thanksgiving holiday officially begins at 12:01 a.m. on Wed., Nov. 21 and continues through midnight, Sun., Nov. 25. During the 2000 Thanksgiving holiday, 17 persons lost their lives on New Jersey roadways. So far this year, 605 people have died in traffic-related accidents (Jan. 1 through Nov. 18, 2001) - a 5.9 percent decrease in traffic fatalities over the same period last year (643 fatalities).

       The New Jersey State Police encourage all residents and visitors to safely enjoy the holiday season by buckling-up, securing children safely in approved child restraint seats, driving safely and obeying the rules of the road.





# # #

 
      
Recruiting
Compliments & Complaints
News & Events
About Us