STATE
POLICE SEND MESSAGE OF SAFETY FOR HOLIDAYS
Troopers Warn of Strict Enforcement for Aggressive
Drivers of Commercial Vehicles
West Trenton, N.J. - With the holiday season in
full swing, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes
today announced a holiday safety program that contains educational
and enforcement components. The State Police will increase
patrols, enforcement and traffic safety activities, throughout
the 2004 Holiday season. In making his announcement the superintendent
reminded holiday travelers and shoppers that an extra measure
of caution and safety could prevent tragedy.
The educational aspect of the holiday program will include
a cooperative effort by troopers, municipal officers and the
New Jersey Motor Truck Association to distribute pamphlets
warning motorists, including commercial vehicles, of the strict
enforcement of New Jersey's motor vehicle laws. Posters will
be displayed and literature available at designated New Jersey
service areas, rest areas, and truck stops. Troopers will
provide brochures to all motorist contacts to create public
awareness of the program. Variable message signs will be used
on all major highways to remind motorists to drive responsibly.
"As part of the enforcement element of the holiday safety
program troopers and officers throughout the state will focus
considerable effort toward removing aggressive and drunk drivers
from the roadways, Fuentes said. There will be special emphasis
on identifying and ticketing drivers operating commercial
vehicles in an aggressive or careless manner."
Troopers will be assigned to high visibility tactical patrol
units and will monitor traffic with radar and laser speed
enforcement technology. Special drunk driving enforcement
details, including stationary drunk driving checkpoints at
targeted, high volume traffic locations and mobile patrols
geared to identify and arrest drunk drivers will be in operation.
Troopers will be covering the state's highways with additional
patrols looking for stranded motorists, aggressive drivers
and drinking drivers. Members of the State Police ask that
the public do its part by driving responsibly in order to
attain the first zero fatality holiday weekend.
Colonel Fuentes closed his holiday message by urging motorist
to slow down when approaching accident scenes or troopers
conducting motor vehicle stops. In recent weeks several troopers
have been injured at accident scenes or while conducting motor
vehicle stops. "Motorists should be prepared to stop or change
lanes to allow troopers space to do their jobs safely," Fuentes
said.
Preliminary statewide traffic fatalities for 2004 through
December 21st are 675. Although this is a tragic amount of
deaths, it stands 5.4 percent below the 2003 number for the
same period, which was 714.
Last year, there were six fatalities during the two-day Christmas
holiday. This year's official traffic holiday will begin Thursday,
December 23rd at 6:00 p.m. and runs through Sunday, December
26th at midnight.
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