NJDOT Begins July 4th Weekend with Safety Announcements

TRENTON — Commissioner Jim Simpson Wed., June 30 kicked off July 4th weekend by encouraging motorists to exercise caution as they travel to holiday destinations.
“NJDOT is promoting safety over the July 4th holiday weekend by suspending construction on all state highways and urging drivers to obey speed and safety signs,” Commissioner Simpson said. “In addition, I encourage motorists to dial 511 to access the state’s improved voice-activated telephone information system regarding traffic, weather and construction and to visit our real-time traffic website, www.511nj.org.”
NJDOT will suspend all construction on state highways from 6 a.m. Friday, July 2, until noon Tuesday, July 6.
The commissioner also urged motorists to make it a safe holiday weekend by ensuring that every vehicle occupant uses a seat belt.
NJDOT offers motorist real-time travel information in multiple formats to help them adjust travel plans in response to traffic conditions. Motorists can get the latest traffic information by calling 511 or by going to www.511nj.org
Turnpike and Parkway motorists can obtain real-time information and video images of traffic conditions on those major roadways by visiting the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) website at www.state.nj.us/turnpike. The NJTA greatly increased the video coverage available to motorists this summer, with feeds from 79 cameras on the Turnpike and 70 on the Garden State Parkway.
Throughout the summer, NJ State Police will be targeting aggressive drivers through the New Jersey Targeting Aggressive Cars and Trucks Program (NJTACT). The goal of NJTACT is to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities by combining outreach, education, and targeted enforcement.
The NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety is aiding in the campaign against aggressive driving with its Safe Passage program. NJDOT will post the program’s “Obey the Signs or Pay the Fines” slogan on numerous Variable Message Signs statewide.
Drivers are encouraged to call the following numbers for roadside assistance or to report a disabled vehicle, roadside debris or other problems:
* On the Turnpike, call #95.
* On the Parkway, call #GSP (#477).
* On the Atlantic City Expressway, call #ACE (#223).
* To report aggressive driving on any road, call #77.
* Motorists should continue to dial 911 for emergencies.
Calls are toll and airtime free with most major New Jersey cellular suppliers. Any motorist with a cellular phone can expedite aid to disabled vehicles by simply dialing the appropriate number. Callers should note the nearest mile marker, the direction of travel and a description of the vehicle.
Nearly 4.6 million motorists are expected to use the Turnpike this weekend, and 9.5 million motorists are expected to use the Parkway.
Express E-ZPass is available at eight toll plazas along the New Jersey Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway, including the Bergen Toll Plaza. Express E-ZPass allows E-ZPass customers to travel through toll areas at normal driving speeds, thanks to the removal of certain toll barriers and the addition of E-ZPass sensors on overhead gantries. At each location, traditional E-ZPass and cash lanes are also available.
NJDOT urges motorists to exercise caution while driving this summer. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of three and 33 in the United States.