Police Unveil New Traffic Safety Sign on Route 47

GOSHEN – With the busy summer season about to begin and a family in attendance who knows how dangerous the road can be, Middle Township police May 20 unveiled a new sign on Route 47 that aims to inform motorists that police are on the look out for unsafe drivers.
The sign was placed near mile marker 15 on the long, winding road also known as Delsea Drive that snakes from Brooklawn, Camden County, through Gloucester and Cumberland counties, and then through Dennis and Middle townships before terminating in Wildwood.
The sign warns motorists: “DRIVE CAREFULLY, HIGH ENFORCEMENT AREA, ZERO TOLERANCE.”
Why did police erect this sign on this state highway that travels through mostly rural areas?
According to Middle Township Police Chief Joseph Evangelista, there were 138 accidents on the 15 miles of roadway in the township last year including 77 injuries requiring 49 hospital transports and two fatalities. There were also 14 DWIs and four hit and run accidents.
One of the fatal accidents claimed the life of Craig Lozier, a 20 year-old Court House native who graduated from Middle Township High School in 2006. Lozier was killed July 21, when an intoxicated teenaged driver crossed the median near milepost 10 and struck Lozier’s motorcycle head on.
As police dedicated the sign, Lozier’s parents thanked them for their support and asked drivers to obey the speed limits, heed the yellow lines and refrain from drinking and driving. The Loziers wore clothing from West Virginia University, where their son was studying business before his death.
“If this sign will help save just one life, it will be worth it,” said Maureen Lozier, Craig’s mother. “If you suspect anyone of drunk driving, just call 911. Police are encouraging your participation.”
Craig’s father Scott Lozier, a local dentist, said he hopes no family has to go through what his family has endured.
“I can’t tell you how it’s altered our lives,” he said.
Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam (both D-1st) were also on hand as the new sign was unveiled.
Albano, whose 19-year-old son Michael was killed in 2001 by a drunk driver, knows best how the Loziers must feel. He said that the area welcomes all the summer visitors that travel Route 47, but he hopes they all obey traffic laws and drive safely.
Albano called the stretch of Route 47 in Middle Township a “problem area” and noted that the Loziers were helping to make a positive thing come out of their tragic loss.
“Be as careful as possible, be as attentive as possible and hopefully we can save some lives this year,” Albano said.
Milam said the effort was more about educating the motorists about the potential dangers along the roadway rather than enforcement.
The Assemblymen said they were working on legislation that would increase the penalties for those driving under the influence who have been involved in serious or fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Evangelista said police would be patrolling the highway with extra scrutiny during the upcoming tourist season.
“We welcome the visitors,” he said. “But they have to drive safely.”