Help Caldwell Police Put The Breaks On Fatalities

Motorists in New Jersey and throughout the nation are asked to join a day-long effort on 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;
• Driving the posted speed limit;
• Avoiding distractions while driving; and 
• Always being safe and sober behind the wheel.  

Although New Jersey has managed to celebrate the last two Put The Brakes On Fatalities Days in 2011 and 2012 without tragedy, it will take the combined vigilance of all roadway users to accomplish this feat for the third consecutive year.

To support this effort, Caldwell Police Department will have saturation patrols on Oct. 10 warning motorists to wear their seat belt, stay off their phone while driving and to adhere to the speed limits.  

Officers will also conduct spot safety checkpoints to educate the public in regards to driving safely on our public roadways.

Last year in New Jersey, 589 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, down from 627 in 2011. The decline continues a downward trend in motor vehicle fatalities, highlighted by 2010, which had the lowest number of recorded motor vehicle deaths in the State since the 1940s.

"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,” said Pellegrino. 

Additional information on the Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day can be found by visiting www.brakesonfatalities.org.