|
MEETING NOTICES: Board Of Directors: The next meeting is at the call of the President. Regular Business Meeting: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 - 10:00 AM at the Somerville Elks Club, Route 28 (Union Avenue) Bridgewater, NJ  WORLD TRAFFIC DEATHS CONTINUE TO RISE: According to a new study from the World Health Organization and the World Bank, motor vehicle crashes kill 1.2 million people every year all over the world. Researchers expect the number to exceed 2 million annually by 2020. If that prediction turns out to be correct, car crashes will be the third largest cause of death and disability. In 1990, auto crashes were ninth on the list. Part of the problem associated with reducing deaths from crashes is a sense among most people that nothing can be done about the problem. Injuries stemming from motor vehicle crashes affect somewhere between 20 and 50 million people a year. The data in this area is harder to obtain because records related to traffic safety are varied in different parts of the world. The research indicates that increase in injuries and deaths are especially prevalent in poor countries where economic development and more traffic lead to more crashes. In countries like India, more than half the deaths from car crashes involve pedestrians or cyclists. SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF LINE OF DUTY DEATHS: The following comes to us via Dave Bedrosian. In 2003, gunfire accounted for 47 police officer deaths throughout the country. Forty-one died from injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes. This figure does not include motorcycle crashes, 8 officer deaths; vehicle pursuits, 13 deaths; or officers struck by vehicles, 7 deaths. Combined, 69 officers died from vehicle related incidents. The finest vest, the best tactics, a state-of-the-art ankle holster, and the most highly trained fellow officers are not enough when it comes to car accidents. Slow down, be careful, get to the call in one piece, and wear your seatbelt.  THE CELL PHONE LAW BECOMES EFFECTIVE JULY: The law takes effect July 1, 2004 and enforceable by 39:4-97.3. The law bans use of hand-held phones in a moving vehicle except when the operator has reason to fear for his safety, to report a fire, traffic crash, serious road hazard or medical or hazardous materials emergency, to report a reckless, careless or unsafe driver or driver who appears to be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Enforcement is a secondary violation when the driver has been detained for a violation of Title 39 or another offense. The fine is no less than $100 or more than $250, no motor vehicle or insurance eligibility points are assessed. Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle are exempt while in performance of their duties. This law supersedes all ordinances of any county or municipality with regard to the use of a wireless telephone by an operator of a motor vehicle. 
As of June 16, 2004, there were 266 fatalities recorded on NJ roads compared to 283 during the same period in 2003, A DECREASE OF 17 BODIES. .
During this period there were 161 driver deaths, 39 passengers, 52 pedestrians, 10 motorcycle drivers, 01 motorcycle passengers, and 03 pedacyclists. There were 266 Fatalities in 257 crashes. 
LEGISLATIVE STUFF: A2997 Bodine; Requires MVC to provide itemization of driver's license and registration fees. A2998 Scalera; Permits certain lights and horns on emergency service volunteers' vehicles. S1503 Buono/Sarlo; Eliminates downgrading of DWI offenses that occur more than 10 years after previous conviction. S1658 Bryant; Establishes four-year registration period for new passenger automobiles. S1666 Inverso; Permits municipalities to construct speed humps on certain roads. S1681 Scutari; Provides that limitation on lawsuit option does not apply in accident caused by drunk driver. A3034 Greenstein; Establishes owners responsibility to provide information relating to certain motor vehicle accidents. A3041 Smith,; Provides enhanced penalties for persons driving while their license is suspended for driving under the influence when under the legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages. S1714 Bryant; Increases motor vehicle insurance surcharge for drivers accumulating six or more penalty points; imposes surcharge for "unsafe driving" convictions.
SAFETY BELT SAVES VIOLATOR: As part of the "Click It Or Ticket campaign the Hazlet Police Department set up a safety belt checkpoint and issued a summons to a Margate, Florida man for not being bucked up. Later the same day, while driving on the Garden State Parkway, the violator lost control of his vehicle, struck a guardrail, went down an embankment, and overturned. His wife had to be removed from the battered car by the Fire Department and was treated and released from the hospital. As for the violator, the guy was ticketed at the checkpoint; he did not require any medical treatment because the safety belt he was then wearing saved him! A lesson well learned. NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2004 - 10:00 AM Somerville Elks Club, Route 28 (Union Avenue) Bridgewater, NJ WE SALUTE OUR FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN |