Lower to Join ‘Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day’

ERMA — Lower Township Police Department plans to participate in the seventh annual “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” on Oct. 10.
According to Chief Edward Donohue, the national campaign has the cooperation of the state Division of Highway Traffic Safety with the goal being to “unite the country in achieving one full day of zero traffic deaths by encouraging safer behavior and actions by promoting safer roadways,” according to release.
Motor vehicle fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans from ages 3 to 33. More than 40,000 motor vehicle fatalities occur in the nation annually.
On average, two New Jersey residents die daily on the state’s highways as a result of motor vehicle accidents.
There are pro-active steps the public can take to reduce the odds of becoming a statistic, said Donohue.
“First and foremost, drive as if your life depends on it,” he said. Drive defensively, obey posted speed limits, and share the road with other vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and trucks.
Other measures include slowing down in bad weather and in special construction and school zones and not drinking and driving.
Another important way to reduce fatalities is to use seat belts and child safety seats. Use of helmets when bicycling or motorcycling or skating is yet another way to remain safe.
Police departments participating in the campaign will file a report with the Division of Highway Traffic and Safety documenting the number of crashes, injuries and or fatalities that took place in that jurisdiction within a 24 hour period beginning a midnight on Oct. 10.