Galloway Police Participate in Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day Oct. 10

Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day, a national day-long effort designed to increase awareness about safe driving habits and keep the nation’s highways fatality free for at least one day, is set for Oct. 10, Galloway Police said Monday morning.

Galloway Police will be participating in the effort to encourage drivers to obey all traffic laws, including buckling up every ride; doing the speed limit; avoid distractions while driving; and be safe and sober behind the wheel.

In New Jersey last year, there were 556 fatalities in motor-vehicle related crashes, compared to 542 the year before. Pedestrian deaths increased from 139 in 2010 to 170 last year, according to police. The 2014 numbers represent 31 percent of all crashes, while pedestrian fatalities are 14 percent nationally.

Galloway Police will deploy message boards and increase patrols to target aggressive driving.

“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,” Lt. Rich Barber 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.”

For more information, visit www.brakesonfatalities.org.