'Put The Brakes On Fatalities' In Galloway Township Oct. 10

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Galloway Township Police Department is participating in "Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day" on Tuesday, Oct. 10. The effort is designed to increase awareness about safe driving and keep the state’s roads fatality free for one day.

• buckling up for every ride;
• driving the posted speed limit;
• avoiding distractions while driving; and
• always being safe and sober behind the wheel.

To support this effort, the Galloway Township Police Department will increase patrols to target aggressive driving. Officers will also distribute educational materials about safe driving. Last year, 603 people were killed in car accidents in New Jersey, according to the police department. This was an increase from 562 in 2015.

Distracted driving fatalities have increased at an alarming rate over the last four years. In 2013, there were 58 deaths on New Jersey roads due to distracted driving. That number ballooned to 115 fatalities in 2016, or 19% of all traffic deaths. To help battle this growing problem, the state’s #77 alert system is now used to report all forms of dangerous driving, from those who are driving while looking at a cell phone to those who are driving while impaired.

Statewide law enforcement agencies will be using variable message boards and conducting educational activities to raise public awareness regarding this issue during the week of Oct. 3, ending with “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day."

“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,” Galloway Township 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.

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