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MEETING NOTICES: Board Of Directors: The next meeting is at the call of the President. Regular Business Meeting: The next Regular Business Meeting is on Wednesday March 3, 2004, at the SOMERVILLE ELKS CLUB, ROUTE 28 (Union Avenue), BRIDGEWATER, NJ. beginning at 10:00 AM. PCS Data Solutions will present a program on Wireless Connectivity, CDPD conversions. Jack Mattessich of MPH Industries is picking the breakfast cost. NEW JERSEY MOTOR VEHICLE AGENCIES OPEN SATURDAYS: For the first time in nearly fifteen years, motor vehicle offices will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until noon. To further improve customer service, the MVC created a new Web Site www.njmvc.gov that allows motorists to pay parking or traffic tickets, schedule road tests and request their driver history record on-line. MVC also began issuing Digital Driver Licenses (DDL). SENATE ACTS ON HIGHWAY SPENDING BILL: The US Senate overwhelmingly approved a highway-spending bill that would bring jobs and billions of dollars in new construction money to states across the nation. The Senate voted 76-21 to pass a six-year $318 billion highway and mass-transit spending bill, replacing the current six-year program that expires at the end of this month. The $318 billion surpasses the $218 billion approved for the current six-year plan. The House has yet to act on its bill and some House members are saying the Senate total is too low to fix the nation's crumbling highways. The administration says it will recommend a presidential veto if the final bill is at the Senate spending level. Conservative estimates are that the bill will create 1.6 million jobs over its lifetime. DRIVERS DRINKING LESS: A new poll finds that two decades of education and enforcement have dramatically reshaped New Jersey driver's attitudes about drinking and driving. The Star Ledger/Rutgers-Eagleton Poll on alcohol consumption found the change was particularly pronounced among young adults, a group that 20 years ago was most likely to drive drunk. The survey also found that 9 percent of respondents have had a drink while operating a vehicle. In the 18 to 29 year old age group, just 7 percent acknowledged the practice. In August 1984, 37 percent of young adults polled said they drank while driving. ALWAYS A COP: A cop stopping by for a bite to eat arrested a man trying to hide from authorities. The suspect's erratic behavior caught the eye of off-duty Brick Police Sgt. David Bedrosian when he noticed the guy was "nervous and short of breath." When the suspect placed a piece of merchandise, still encased in its plastic security holder, on the table, Bedrosian called police headquarters to determine if anything happened in the area and was told about a shoplifting incident. The suspect's description matched that given by the dispatcher so Bedrosian identified himself and made the bust. The suspect stole seven video games with a total value of $349.93, and had an outstanding warrant for $233. He was released on $1,000 bail & Dave got to finish his meal. RADAR TUNING FORKS: Weights and Measures will test tuning forks for departments N through Z at the March 3, 2004 meeting. Keep tuning forks together with a rubber band or in a large envelope. Bring along a blank department letterhead, self-addressed envelope, and purchase order or voucher. Cost is $5.00 per fork, payable to NJ Division of Weights and Measures. If we cancel meeting, testing will be at the April 7 meeting. Details will be on our website - NJPTOA.com. THE FORMER SGT. ED SPINKS: We say "former" because he was recently promoted to Chief of the High Bridge Police Department. Chief Spinks currently serves as Treasurer of our Association and said he will continue serving us in this position. Congratulations Ed. As of February 20, 2004, there were 56 fatalities recorded on NJ roads compared to 68 during the same period in 2003, AN DECREASE OF 12 BODIES.
During this period, there were 40-driver deaths, 05-passengers, 11-pedestrians, 00-motorcycle drivers, 00 Motorcycle passenger, and 0-pedacyclist. There were 56 fatalities in 54 crashes. THANKS TO INCREASED SPEED LIMITS AND SUV'S WE'RE #9: A Global Health Organization report says the USA has fallen to number 9 on the list of the world's safest countries to drive in. The safest eight countries are Britain, Norway, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Finland, Switzerland, and Den-mark. There are a wide variety of reasons for the drop from #1 to #9. Fewer Americans are wearing safety belts and many states raised speed limits. Also, there are more SUV's in the U.S. and crashes involving larger vehicles typically result in more injuries and deaths. COMPUTERIZED AUTO EMISSION TEST DOUBLES FAILURE RATE: The new computerized auto emissions test failed twice as many vehicles as the old treadmill test. In the last five months of 2003, the new test failed 4 percent of the half million vehicles examined, and about 6 percent when inspection stations began inspecting 1996 and 1997 model-year vehicles. A review of similar data from 2002 shows the failure rate for tests conducted on exhaust pipe emissions was about 2 percent. The new test targets 1996 and newer model cars and taps into the vehicles' computers to determine whether exhaust system components, such as the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor, are operating properly. Vehicles automatically fail if the "check engine" light is on. Cars made before the 1996 continue using the treadmill method. Officials are pleased with the new test, expressing faith in its accuracy. They also note the new test has reduced the average wait at inspection stations. But critics question the reliability of testing the on-board computers and sensors and blame the test for forcing car owners to undertake costly repairs to pass inspection even if the vehicles weren't polluting the air. The computer test has been scrapped in Colorado where officials there say it wasn't catching the worst polluters. NOTICE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP DUES: Please check the date on the mailing label of this newsletter. If you paid your 2004 membership dues and "04" is not on the label, send a copy of the paid check to the NJPTOA, 75 Martine Avenue, Fanwood, NJ 07023. We had a computer problem that affected some of the payments made in early January 2004. TESTIMONIAL FOR BILL WADE: There will be a testimonial dinner honoring State Police Lt. Bill Wade on Friday, March 12, 2004 at the Eagle Ridge Golf Club - The View Restaurant, 2 August Boulevard, Lakewood, NJ beginning at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $55.00 per and may be obtained by contacting Capt. Scripture (973) 785-9412, ext 4201 - Capt. Rodgers (609) 561-1800, ext. 3202 - SFC Cerisano (732) 442-8600, ext. 6357. Bill has been a long-standing and active member of our Association. We wish him the very best in whatever he decides with his future. Even though he is retired he has agreed to continue serving the Association. 
NEXT MEETING, MARCH 3, 2004 - 10:00 AM SOMERVILLE ELKS CLUB, ROUTE 28, BRIDGEWATER, NJ WE SALUTE OUR FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN |