New Jersey Tries To Put Brakes On Traffic Deaths

BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. -- New Jersey residents are asked to unite and join in a day-long effort on Oct. 10 of being extra careful on the roadways to avoid fatalities in the state for one day as part of the Put the Brakes on Fatalities national program.

Every driver, pedestrian, motorcyclist and bicyclist in New Jersey is encouraged to be extra safe on Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day.
Photo Credit: *CLIFFVIEW PILOT*

Alexis Tarrazi

09/26/2015 3:00 a.m.

So far in 2015, Bergen County has reported 23 fatal accidents and 20 in Passaic County, state authorities said.

Last year, 556 people lost their lives in motor vehicle related crashes in New Jersey, up from 542 in 2013.

Pedestrian fatalities in the state increased from 129 in 2013 to 170 in 2014. Last year’s numbers resulted from 31 percent of all crashes in the state while nationally it's 14 percent.

This 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.These include buckling up, every ride; driving the posted speed limit; avoiding distractions while driving; and always being safe and sober behind the wheel.

To help increase public awareness, local police will partner with the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety to conduct educational activities from Oct. 4 to 10.

Numbers

In 2013, speeding contributed factor in 29 percent of all fatal crashes – with 9,613 lives lost in such crashes. The economic cost of speeding-related crashes in the U.S. is estimated to be $52 billion per year. (Source: Traffic Safety Facts 2013 Overview)
Among passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, the age groups 13 to 15 and 21 to 34 had the highest percentage of occupants killed that were unbuckled. Of the 5,852 casualties where seat belt use was known, 3,559 (61 percent) were unrestrained. (Source: Traffic Safety Facts 2013 Occupant Protection)
Alcohol-involved crashes killed 10,076 people, accounting for 31 percent of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2013. An average of one alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurred every 52 minutes. (Source: Traffic Safety Facts 2013 Alcohol-Impaired Driving)
Distracted driving including talking on a cell phone, texting, eating and programming/ looking at a GPS injured an estimated 424,000 people in motor vehicle crashes in 2013, while killing 3,154 others. (Traffic Safety Facts 2013 Distracted Driving)

MORE INFORMATION: www.brakesonfatalities.org

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