Wednesday is Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day

Motorists in New Jersey and throughout the nation are asked to join a day-long effort on Wednesday, 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.

To support this effort, Caldwell Police Department will have saturation patrols on Oct. 10 warning motorists to wear their seat belts, stay off their phones while driving and to adhere to the statutory speed limit of roadways. Officers will also conduct spot safety checkpoints to educate the public in regards to driving safely on public roadways.

Last year in New Jersey, 627 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, up from 556 in 2010. Although nationally there is a downward trend in motor vehicle fatalities, in 2011 in New Jersey, fatalities increased by 71 deaths over 2010.

“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,” Sgt. Michael Pellegrino of the Caldwell Police Department stated in a release. “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,” Sgt Pellegrino added.

Additional information on the "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day" is available by logging on to www.brakesonfatalities.org.

This article was provided by the Caldwell Police Department.