Lettiere joins with Giants linebacker Brandon Short to record safety PSA
(East Rutherford) - Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere and New York Giants starting linebacker Brandon Short put on an all-out blitz today for highway safety by recording a new public service announcement that will air on radio stations across northern New Jersey.
Short, a star at Penn State, and Lettiere recorded the 30-second announcements as part of "Safety First,, Governor James E. McGreevey's Highway Safety Plan. The public service announcements recorded with Short complement a similar announcement recorded last month with Philadelphia Eagles star Troy Vincent, which are airing in the southern part of the state. Both announcements, which urge motorists to obey the speed limit, to keep a safe distance behind other cars, and to stay alert, will air through June.
Lettiere unveiled the 12-point Safety First program in March, which seeks to reduce highway accidents through a combination of road improvements, stricter enforcement and stepped up public education. The plan was developed by a task force that included the NJDOT, State Police, the AAA Auto Clubs of New Jersey, the New Jersey Motor Truck Association and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
"More than 700 New Jersey motorists lost their lives in highway accidents last year," said Lettiere. "The announcements we've recorded can go a long way toward reducing fatalities on our roads. Highway safety is everyone's concern and it's something we all need to be cognizant of on every time we start up our cars. We are grateful to Brandon Short and the Giants for lending their support to this important campaign."
The PSA's are part of the public education component of Safety First. In addition, the DOT will revise New Jersey's written drivers test to include eight questions regarding safe interaction between cars and trucks. The New Jersey Driver Manual will be redesigned to include more information on safety and car-truck interaction. And, the Department of Education will issue policy guidance to local school districts informing driver's education teachers on how to instruct safe interaction between cars and trucks.
The program also includes $20 million in highway safety improvements and proposed fine increases for speeding and other violations on designated sections of state highways, and for weight violations by out-of-state trucks.
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