Codey kicks off Memorial Day weekend with highway safety announcement
(SAYREVILLE)
- Acting Governor Richard J. Codey today kicked off Memorial Day
weekend and the summer season with a message about highway safety.
"There is no better way to spend Memorial Day weekend than
at the Jersey Shore," Codey said. "Whether it's Point
Pleasant, Cape May or Ocean City, traveling to the Shore is a
tradition families have enjoyed for generations. But as much as
this is a time of celebration and fun, it also kicks off one of
the most dangerous times of the year for highway accidents.
"This weekend and all summer we are urging drivers to be
careful and use common sense," Codey said. "And we are
deploying extra resources on New Jersey's highways to help you
stay safe. We are suspending all construction on state highways
this weekend. New Jersey State Police and local police are increasing
their patrols. And we are extending the Emergency Service Patrols
that help stranded drivers with extra gas, a tire change or other
services."
Codey was joined by New Jersey Turnpike Authority Executive Director
Michael Lapolla; New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Stephen Wolcott;
Michele Mount, public affairs manager for AAA New Jersey; and
other officials for a news conference at the Cheesequake Rest
Area on the Garden State Parkway.
Codey pointed out that traffic accidents are the leading cause
of death for people between the ages of three and 33 in the United
States. According to the American Automobile Association, nearly
13,000 people will die in highway crashes nationwide during the
period that begins with Memorial Day weekend and ends Labor Day.
To help drivers remain safe, Codey announced the following statewide
initiatives:
· All construction will be suspended on state highways,
from 6 p.m. Friday until noon Tuesday.
· Statewide Emergency Service Patrols, or ESP, will operate
with extended hours over the holiday weekend. ESP helps stranded
drivers with extra gas, tire changes and other services.
· New Jersey State Police and local police departments
will increase their patrols during the holiday weekend. They will
be looking for drivers who are aggressive, drowsy or intoxicated.
State Police will be using unmarked vehicles for traffic enforcement.
· New Jersey State Police are joining law enforcement agencies
nationwide in conducting a "Click It or Ticket" campaign,
from May 24 through June 6. The campaign calls for zero-tolerance
enforcement of safety belt laws with a special emphasis on teens.
These efforts are expected to save lives by resulting in dramatic
increases in safety belt use.
· 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.
· Drivers can find updated information on all roads, 24
hours a day, at www.njcommuter.com.
"We are doing all we can to make this weekend a safe and
enjoyable one, so we are asking drivers to do the same by driving
safely and obeying posted speed limits," said New Jersey
Department of Transportation Commissioner Jack Lettiere.
Codey reminded drivers that Express E-ZPass is now available at
seven toll plazas along the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey
Turnpike. Express E-ZPass lets E-ZPass customers travel through
toll areas at normal driving speeds, thanks to the removal of
certain toll barriers and the addition of E-ZPass sensors on an
overhead gantry. At each location, traditional E-ZPass and cash
lanes are also available.
In addition, NJ Transit is offering summertime deals on its website,
www.njtransit.com, including
beach packages that combine roundtrip transportation with beach
access for as low as $13. On weekends, from 7 p.m. Fridays until
6 a.m. Mondays, up to two children ages five through 11 can travel
free with each fare-paying adult.
A total of 3,188,000 drivers are expected on the New Jersey Turnpike,
and 6,116,000 on the Garden State Parkway, beginning Friday and
ending Tuesday.
Friday will be the most heavily traveled day, with highest volume
expected between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. On the Turnpike, the heaviest
traffic will be on Interchanges 1-4, 11, 14, 18W and just south
of 8A at the merge. On the Parkway, the heaviest traffic will
be from the Union Toll Plaza through the Toms River Toll Plaza.
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