For Immediate Release:
October 9, 2014

Are you a safe driver?
Freeholders ask local drivers to Put the Brakes on Fatalities

FREEHOLD, NJ – As you travel on Monmouth County roads tomorrow, you can help Monmouth County put the brakes on fatalities by practicing safe driving behaviors to help keep roadways fatality free on Friday, Oct. 10.

“Buckle up, slow down, stop texting and stay focused,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “It doesn’t matter if you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian, motorcyclist or cyclist, by minding the rules of the road, each of us can make a difference by reducing to zero the number of fatalities occurring on our roads.”

Oct. 10 is national “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” when motorists in Monmouth County and throughout the nation are asked to join a day-long effort to be safe on the roadways.

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.

“The goal is to experience a day when all roadway users are extra vigilant and there are no fatalities on our roadways,” Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said.

“We can start by being attentive when we drive,” said Burry. “Eliminating distractions such as text messaging and talking on a handheld device can reduce your chances of being in a crash. The County Prosecutor’s Office is working with our local municipalities to remind our residents to take the pledge to be unplugged and alive.”

Law enforcement officers across the County have been issued distracted driver ticket books. Anyone found driving while distracted may be issued a summons warning providing the driver 15 days to log on the campaign website at unpluggedandalive.com where the ticketed driver will be prompted to securely include their pertinent information and to watch a video detailing the horrific effects of distracted driving.

“Distracted driving is dangerous, but that knowledge alone does not seem to deter drivers from texting and driving and from using cell phones without a hands-free device,” said Monmouth County Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Lori Linskey. “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates the average time a driver’s eyes are off the road while texting is approximately five seconds. When traveling at 55 miles per hour, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field. Imagine driving the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour while wearing a blindfold.”

In 2012, 171.3 billion text messages were sent in the US every month, according to CTIA—The Wireless Association. Texting has become so important in our method of communication, the average American now sends or receives more than 40 texts per day, and those in the 18-24 age group are texting more than 100 times a day, according to a recent Pew Research Center study.

Last year in New Jersey, 542 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, down from 589 in 2012. The decline continues a downward trend in motor vehicle fatalities, and in 2013 the State recorded the lowest number of motor vehicle related deaths since the 1940s.

“Other important safety practices include buckling up immediately upon entering a vehicle or every time you begin a trip, using appropriate child safety seats, wearing a helmet when bicycling, motorcycling, or skating, and crossing the street in crosswalks,” Freeholder John P. Curley said.

“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 Freeholder Serena DiMaso. “You should never drive when drowsy, always drive defensively and obey the posted speed limits, share the road with other vehicles like motorcycles, bicycles, and trucks, slow down in bad weather and in construction and school zones and do not drink and drive are just a few examples of how drivers can reduce their chances of being in a crash.”

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

To support this effort, the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders has passed a resolution declaring Oct. 10 as “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” in Monmouth County.

“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,” Freeholder Deputy Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. 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.”


Caption: Freehold Township Police Sgt. Scot Hall joined all five members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders in declaring Friday, Oct. 10, 2014 as “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” in Monmouth County. The presentation was made at the Freeholders Oct. 9 meeting in the Hall of Records Annex in Freehold. Pictured left to right are Freeholder Serena DiMaso, Freeholder Director Lillian Burry Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, Sgt. Scot Hall, Freeholder Deputy Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. and Freeholder John P. Curley.