Harrison promotes safe-driving effort

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 and keep the roadways fatality-free for at least 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 at the posted speed limit, avoiding distractions while driving, and always being safe and sober behind the wheel.

To support this effort, the Town of Harrison will be approving resolution to acknowledge the effort, while the Harrison Police Department will be out enforcing the traffic laws and educating motorists about safety.

According to the HPD, last year in New Jersey, 556 people lost their lives in motor vehicle-related crashes, down from 583 in 2009.  The decline continues a four-year downward and marks the lowest number of recorded motor vehicle deaths in the state since the 1940s.

“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,” Harrison Police Chief Derek Kearns 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.”

“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,” Kearns added.

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

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