West Trenton, N.J. � Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police, today announced all stations will focus on enforcing the laws and aiding holiday travelers this Labor Day weekend.� After a difficult week we urge New Jersey residents to enjoy all of New Jersey�s recreational opportunities this weekend with safety in mind. The Holiday prevention effort focuses on conducting highly visible law enforcement related activities to deter impaired driving.
�We will hold drivers accountable if they engage in unlawful roadway behavior,� Colonel Fuentes said.�The Superintendent explained that these behaviors include speeding, driving aggressively, distracted driving, and driving while intoxicated.
The Colonel urges motorists to obey the �Move Over Law� and to avoid potential problems by using designated drivers, getting enough sleep, leaving early to beat peak travel times and by paying attention at all times.�
Each year, New Jersey police vehicles are struck by passing motorists while on car stops or at the scene of traffic accidents.� The Colonel urges all motorists to approach stationary emergency vehicles, police cars, tow trucks, ambulances, or highway safety vehicles with their emergency lights activated with caution.� With the post hurricane clean up efforts this weekend we ask for your patience and cooperation when driving near stationary emergency vehicles.
Another important factor contributing to accidents is fatigue.� Many travelers try to squeeze every last minute out of the long Labor Day weekend and end up driving while exhausted.� To help eliminate fatigue, know your route of travel and make frequent stops.� During long holiday weekends, fatigue often contributes to crashes.� �
Inattentive driving is perhaps the single most unreported factor leading to motor vehicle crashes.� Texting and handheld mobile device usage are illegal in New Jersey and many other states, but it�s still common to see people violating these laws when police are not around.� There are a variety of unmarked State Police vehicles being used by uniformed troopers, so the only sure way to avoid a ticket is to use only phones equipped for hands-free operation.� Other common distractions include map reading, sound system adjustments, built-in video/game monitors, and dealing with children in the back seat.�
The State Police will continue to target drivers and their passengers who are not wearing seat belts including children not properly secured in approved child restraint safety seats.� More than half of the traffic fatalities in the state come from non-seat belted occupants.� �
The 2011 Labor Day Holiday officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2nd and continues through 5:59 a.m., Tuesday, September 6th.� During the previous Labor Day holiday, 7 persons lost their lives in accidents on New Jersey roadways.� Superintendent Fuentes hopes that the public will continue to do their part to reduce traffic fatalities.�
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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One Response
N.J is a police state, why anyone would choose to come here for a good time is beyond me, everything you do is regulated on the boat on the road, on the ride on the beach. do yourself a favor go to PA which is not a police state its gorgeous there, and each person is responsible for their own safety without law enforcement breathing down your neck