Fatal Crashes Down as
Memorial Day Approaches
West Trenton, N.J. - New Jersey State Police Fatal Accident Unit statistics show that 235 people have died in traffic-related accidents so far this year (Jan. 1 through May 20, 2007), which is down 18% from 2006.
“This is an encouraging decrease in fatal crashes, but one that we can only continue if motorists drive cautiously and consistently wear seatbelts,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the State Police. “It’s quite probable that we will be responding to serious, or even fatal accidents this holiday weekend that could have been avoided if everyone would drive responsibly.”
Troopers and police officers statewide will be providing traffic and boating safety incentives to motorists, boaters and vacationers as they utilize our highways and waterways. Law enforcement’s goal is to prevent accidents and save lives with the ultimate objective of enjoying a fatality-free Memorial Day weekend.
The 2007 Memorial Day holiday officially begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 25 and continues through midnight, Monday, May 28. During the 2006 Memorial Day holiday, 16 persons lost their lives on New Jersey roadways. Colonel Fuentes hopes that the public will do its part this weekend to decrease this number significantly.
In an effort to maintain a safe environment throughout the New Jersey, “Click It or Ticket,” Supplemental DWI Patrols, and Target Hardening Response and Emergency Activation Teams (THREAT) will be poised at various heavily traveled areas and critical infrastructure sites. THREAT is a comprehensive deployment of state, county, and local resources with the specific mission to mitigate potential terrorist activity by: mobilizing resources; providing a preventative level of homeland security; responding to alert evaluations; and coordinating statewide public safety resources.
In addition to 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.
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