TRENTON–With summer on the horizon, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS) are emphasizing the importance of safe driving for all residents and visitors of New Jersey during this bustling season.
As the weather turns beautiful and the state’s abundant entertainment and recreational offerings beckon, the summer months witness a surge in travel. This increase in traffic volume is why the period between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day has earned the moniker “101 Days of Summer” — a time when travel is at its busiest but also its most perilous.
“From our iconic shoreline to our charming downtowns and other outdoor destinations, there’s no better place to savor summer than New Jersey,” stated Attorney General Platkin. “With thousands of residents and visitors taking to the roads this season, we want to remind everyone about the perils of unsafe driving through our comprehensive ‘101 Days of Summer’ campaigns. Whether it’s buckling up, adhering to safe speeds, or never driving under the influence, New Jerseyans should know that safety is our top priority.”
Over the next three months, HTS will collaborate with local, county, state, and national law enforcement and traffic safety partners to mitigate the risks associated with summer travel, aiming to prevent accidents and save lives. The “101 Days of Summer” Traffic Safety Campaign will entail heightened enforcement efforts on the state’s extensive network of roads and highways.
“Behind every steering wheel, a choice lies—whether to protect lives or endanger them,” expressed Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Throughout the ‘101 Days of Summer,’ always bear in mind that impaired driving, speeding, and neglecting seatbelts have no place on the road to safety. As you embark on your summer adventures, never forget the weight of your decisions when you get behind the wheel, the lives at stake, and the responsibility you carry.”
Additionally, three crucial public messaging campaigns will run throughout the summer, each aimed at educating the public about critical traffic safety issues.
From May to June, nearly $800,000 in HTS grant funding will be utilized to mobilize law enforcement agencies for the “Click It or Ticket” campaign across New Jersey, targeting drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up.
In July, HTS will partner with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a new speed prevention campaign. With nationwide speeding-related fatalities experiencing a 17% increase in recent years, this initiative will raise awareness about the dangers of speeding and the legal consequences of exceeding speed limits.
Finally, from August to September, the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement mobilization will crack down on motorists who choose to endanger themselves and others by driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.