UNION — Motorists in New Jersey and throughout the nation are being asked to join a day-long effort on Oct. 10, designed to increase awareness about safe driving behaviors and keep the State’s roadways fatality free for one-day.
Known as Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, the national initiative was designed to unite the country in moving toward zero fatalities for one full day by encouraging motorists to obey all traffic laws, including buckling up, every ride; driving the posted speed limit; avoiding distractions while driving; and always being safe and sober behind the wheel.
Although New Jersey has managed to celebrate the last two Put the Brakes on Fatalities Days in October 2011 and 2012 without tragedy, it will take the combined vigilance of all roadway users to accomplish this feat for the third consecutive year.
To support this effort, the Union Police Department is expanding the program locally and will step up enforcement of motor vehicle laws Oct. 10 through 14.
Last year in New Jersey, 589 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, down from 627 in 2011. The decline continues a downward trend in motor vehicle fatalities, highlighted by 2010 which had the lowest number of recorded motor vehicle deaths in the State since the 1940s.
“Clearly, this effort will go a long way in our continuing efforts to stem the tide of tragedies that occur every day on New Jersey’s roadways,” Union Police Director Zieser said. “Shining the spotlight on this one day can help create a groundswell of support for good driving behaviors that can carry over throughout the year.”
“Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day not only raises awareness about the individual responsibility we have for our driving behaviors, but also engages drivers in making positive changes behind-the-wheel every day of the year,” Zieser added.
Additional information on the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is available by visiting www.brakesonfatalities.org .