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Chief William Cicchetti, President Sgt. Richard Maxwell 1st Vice-President (Ret.) Chief Tony Parenti, Editor MEETING NOTICES: Next Regular Business Meeting: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2007, 10:00 AM, at the Somerville Elks Club, Route 28 (Union Avenue) Bridgewater, NJ. Two vendors will demonstrate their products at this meeting. Board Of Directors: The next meeting is at the call of the President.  PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: After 25 years of loyal service our Executive Secretary Ginny Corbett retired from the Fanwood Police Department. Ginny is gifted with a cooperative nature and is always willing to help others, very often going above and beyond. Her willingness to put in extra time and effort to help the NJPTOA is very much appreciated. We honored her at our November 7, 2007 meeting with a special presentation and parting gift. With the holiday season rapidly approaching police officers need to gear up for the usual holiday rush and watch for speeders and drunken drivers. The motoring public depends on police officers to prevent tragedies to families that suffer from losses due to holiday drunken driving. Enforcement is the key to prevention so it's up to us to do all we can to help make this a safe holiday season. Please read the important message on page 2 of this newsletter regarding future editions of the NJPTOA Newsletter. Stay Safe -- Bill INFO ON SAFETY VESTS: A University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute study found, in a simulated work zone, drivers detected pedestrian dressed in typical, non-retro-reflective clothing at 125 feet and one wearing a retro-reflective vest or jacket at 891 feet. Unfortunately, the new rule requiring retro-reflective vests, which will become effective November 24, 2008, comes with several caveats. Inasmuch as the ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 standard was still under development when Section 634.3 was issued, it could not be included in the final rule, although the FHWA suggested that it "might consider revising this rule once these standards go into effect. Currently, however, "high-visibility safety apparel" only includes apparel meeting the Class 2 or 3 standard. For further information read the article in the 7/07 Police Chief Magazine. 
CELL PHONE & TEXT MESSAGING LAW SIGNED: Effective March 1, 2008, it is a PRIMARY Offense when drivers talk on a hand held cell phones or text message while driving. New Jersey joins California, Connecticut, New York, and Washington, D.C. in passing such a law. The existing NJ law makes talking on a cell phone while driving a secondary offense. Violators will face a $100.00 fine if convicted of either offense. A recent study shows that 73% of drivers use hand held phones and 20% text message while driving. Although the NJPTOA supports the new law, we have always favored legislation that would put all distractions into one law instead of doing it piecemeal as is happening now. TWO IN SAME VEHICLE ARRESTED FOR DWI: Two men were arrested for operating the same vehicle while intoxicated. One has no legs and was steering the truck from the driver's seat while the other operated the brake and gas pedals. The guy with no legs admitted he was too drunk to drive but said he wasn't operating the vehicle because he couldn't push the pedals. He was issued a summons for his third drunk driving offense. The other guy was cited for a second offense and both men also were cited for operating after revocation. Police released a third drunk that was in the vehicle -- he got to walk home after the incident. PUBLICLY OWNED DIESEL VEHICLES MUST BE INSPECTED: All Municipalities, Counties, School Districts, and other public agencies that operate diesel-powered vehicles must now comply with inspection laws. Public agencies, including state agencies that operate heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles are required to have these vehicles inspected each year for smoke emissions. Heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles include delivery, utility, dump and garbage trucks, buses and school buses. Only fire, police, ambulance and emergency vehicles, such as first aid and rescue vehicles are exempt. 
As of Week 46 there were 623 fatalities recorded on NJ roads compared to 699 during the same period in 2006, A DECREASE OF 76 DEATHS.
There were 380 Driver deaths, 118 Passengers, 113 Pedestrians, and 09 Pedacyclists. There were 620 fatalities in 576 cashes. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION REGARDING NEWSLETTER: In an effort to keep up with technology, and to save costs, the NJPTOA is contemplating posting our monthly newsletter on our website and to e-mail it to members. In other words the newsletter would become paperless and no longer be mailed to departments as it has been. Please help us make a decision by letting us know if you would want the newsletter e-mailed to you, just posted on our website, or prefer to continue with a paper copy. Mail or e-mail your response to Tony Parenti, 16 Pleasant Avenue, Fanwood, NJ 07023 tpaenti@comcast.net. If you respond by e-mail your address will automatically go to the database JUDGE ORDERS WOMAN TO DROP HER PANTS: A judge in Virginia ordered a woman to drop her pants before deciding a protective order against a partner who she said had stabbed her in the leg. The judge left the bench to take a closer look to see whether or not the woman's wound "required stitches." In another case the same judge decided a custody dispute by flipping a coin to determine which parent would have visitation rights with a child on Christmas. 
BACK FROM THE DEAD: A Venezuelan man who had been declared dead but woke up in the morgue in excruciating pain after medical examiners began their autopsy. He was declared dead after a highway crash and taken to the morgue where examiners began an autopsy. They realized something was amiss when the "declared dead man" started bleeding and they quickly began stitching up the incision on his face. WHEW! MEXICAN TRUCK DRIVERS CAN DRIVE ON U.S. ROADS: The 1994 NAFTA agreement allows for Mexican Truckers to enter and cruise US highways. As of 11/18/07 only 5 Mexican Carriers (20-25 truckers) are allowed to operate in the US. Drivers must speak English and have an equivalent CDL license, and trucks must pass a 37-point inspection. If anyone encounters problems or has questions call 609-452-2601 and be guided by the phone menu. A handout covering this program was made available to the attending members. CRASH REPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 5 DAYS: Bill Beans (NJDOT) reported there are 300,000 crashes each year on NJ roadways. He also said the long awaited "Electronic Data Transfer" (collecting crash reports electronically) would be functional REAL soon with testing within 2 to 3 weeks. Currently there is a submission delay for crash reports going to the State and he reminds members that the reports MUST be submitted within 5 days of the crash. The data is important to many agencies and late reports could affect future funding. BOB GAYDOSH NJDHTS REPORT: 30 to 35 % of the fatal crashes in NJ are alcohol related. On the national zero fatality day there were 2 highway deaths with 200 injuries reported in NJ. There will be a statewide DWI campaign in NJ during the holidays (December 7 to January 2). There is some funding available - forms will be coming out soon. 
ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT AND BULLETPROOF VEST SALUTE OUR WAR HEROES - NEVER FORGET THE DEPARTED Next Meeting December 5th - Somerville Elks Club, Bridgewater, NJ |