NJ Reopening Brings More Traffic, Danger: Gloucester Twp. Police

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — As Gov. Phil Murphy relaxes restrictions that were in place due to the coronavirus, Gloucester Township police said they are seeing increased traffic and aggressive driving throughout the township.

Police are expressing concern because the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day are traditionally when there is an increase in traffic deaths.

During the “100 Deadliest Days,” an average of 10 people a day die in traffic crashes. This represents a 14 percent increase compared to the rest of the year.

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“GTPD takes the safety of our residents seriously, and we will begin to ramp up enforcement of traffic laws related to aggressive driving,” police said in a statement. “As with other police-citizen contacts, all officers will be wearing PPE during motor vehicle stops as we continue to balance the need to stop the spread of the virus, with conducting traffic enforcement operations to save lives and reduce crashes. GTPD strongly encourages all motorists and pedestrians to share the roadway and obey all traffic laws to ensure a safer summer.”

There were already at least two traffic deaths reported in New Jersey on Memorial Day alone. Read more here: Lawrenceville Woman Killed In Memorial Day Crash On Route 130

According to the Gloucester Township Police Department:

• 94 percent of crashes are a direct result of driver error;
• The most prevalent risky behaviors of drivers that contribute to injuries and fatalities are: being unbuckled, alcohol impairment, speeding and distracted driving;
• In 2018 there were 9,378 speeding related deaths reported in the United States;
• Teens have the highest crash rate of any age group and consequently it represents the leading cause of death;
• An average 260 teens are killed in car crashes each month during the summer, an increase of 26 percent compared with the other months of the year;
• 60 percent of teen crashes today are caused by distracted driving; and
• Surprisingly, the top distraction for teens is actually other passengers, accounting for 15 percent of teen driver crashes, compared to 12 percent caused by texting or talking on a cell phone.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know