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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. NJ BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE: Numerous municipalities are requesting a copy of the Association's State of New Jersey Business Registration Certificate in regard to PL 2004 C.57. A copy of this certificate is included with your newsletter. Please give it to the appropriate person in your municipality, i.e. CFO, Business Administrator, Clerk, etc. MOTORCYCLE SALES UP: High gasoline prices are causing commuters, particularly those with SUV's, to switch to the more economical motorcycle. According to a Motorcycle Associate, "Sales are at an all-time record high, all brands, all styles." The Motorcycle Industry reports sales of new motorcycles rose 6.4 percent to 996,000 in 2003. Conversely, motorcycle deaths are up in NJ. "TONY SOPRANO" GOT WHACKED: A suspected drunk driver rammed into Jim Gandolfini, aka Tony Soprano, in New Brunswick recently. "Don" Soprano and a few of his "boys" took time off their schedule to watch Rutgers beat Michigan State. After watching his alma mater win, he and three of his lieutenants drove off in his SUV and a Lincoln Town Car hit them broadside. Police said the Lincoln operator ran a red light and whacked the Don's car. No one was injured in the crash and the operator of the Lincoln was arrested for drunken driving and passing a red traffic signal. Lucky he didn't get his legs broken! WE STILL NEED A RECORDING SECRETARY: The retirement of Lt. Cecil Solaguren caused a vacancy for the secretary position. Ptl. David Powell of the Morris Township Traffic Unit volunteered to complete the remainder of the term but soon thereafter discovered his new duties in the traffic unit precluded him from fulfilling the secretary task. Consequently we are seeking someone to record, transcribe, and distribute the meeting minutes. Anyone interested should call the president at 908-889-6112. POLICE TRAFFIC CONTROL TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION: Anyone desiring re-certification must complete a 4-hour refresher course. There are many options for meeting this requirement that we can explore, provided there is an interest. If you need re-certification or any information on the Technician program, call the NJPTOA Office at 908-322-7773. MILITARY PERSONNEL GIVEN EXTENSION FOR MVC DOCUMENTS: The documents for which extensions have been granted include: A valid NJ drivers' license held by a person on active military duty; Vehicle registration certificates of vehicles registered in this State to a person on active military duty; The inspection of a vehicle or vehicles, registered in this State, to a person on active military duty. The extensions are in effect until August 18, 2005, or until 2 weeks after the member's demobilization, whichever comes first. As of September 14 2004, there were 455 fatalities recorded on NJ roads compared to 474 during the same period in 2003, AN DECREASE OF 19 BODIES.
In 2004 there were 264 driver deaths, 65 passengers, 85 pedestrians, 30 motorcycle drivers, 2 motorcycle passenger, and 8 pedacyclists. There were 455 fatalities in 439 crashes. MAN TOSSED BABY OUT OF CAR - A CASE FOR CAR SEATS: During a police chase a man threw an 8-month old baby out of his moving vehicle. Even though the baby tumbled across the highway, she was not hurt because she was secured in her car seat. The chase continued on at speeds up to 100 mph and ended when the car crashed and rolled over killing the driver. ATTENTION CRASH INVESTIGATORS & RECONSTRUCTIONISTS: The NJ Association of Accident Reconstructionists is conducting a daytime meeting with a guest speaker on November 23, 2004, from 9 AM to 1 PM, at the Middlesex Fire Academy: The topic is Basic Air Brake System for Accident Investigation. The presenter is from Bendix Brakes. All are welcomed, and don't have to be a member of the Association. To Register send an email to NJAAR.org. FREE admission. . REGISTRATION PLATE DECALS: Commencing October 1, 2004, MVC will no longer issue registration plate decals for passenger vehicles. Registrations renewed in October and November before October 1, will still receive these decals. INSPECTION ADVISORY NOTICE: The following furnished by Sharon Harrington, Chief Administrator, New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission: Starting October 1, 2004, MVC will begin a pilot program by making certain minor rejections or maintenance issues an advisory. Vehicles will not be rejected for the following: * Missing or defaced license plates. * License plate light (missing or not illuminating). * Horn regardless of whether it is not audible under normal conditions from distance of not less than 200 feet, inoperable, condition or position of button or switch. * Windshield wiper problems (provided that one blade is operational on driver side regardless of the wipe blade condition) * 3rd stoplights, as long as the vehicle equipped on the rear with at least two stoplights, one at each side of the vertical centerline. * Cracked, chipped, moisture in headlights or equipped with brush guards and grills over the headlights (as long as they are operational and visible). * Parking brake (regardless of condition). Only if parking brake is missing should it be rejected. * Broken, cracked, or missing turn signal lights lens (provided that no white light is showing to the rear of the vehicle). * Windshield-Minor vision obstructions. * Odometer is inoperative. The motorist cannot apply a low mileage or collector car status. * Specialty lights regardless of number, location and condition including fog light, passing lights, supplemental driving lights, spotlight, cowl or fender lights and any other auxiliary light. * Excessive rust or sharp edges on a body or bumper. * Cracked or broken mirrors (must have adequate rear view vision). * Inoperable Driver's window regardless whether the turn signals work. * Defective shift indicator regardless of position. * Racks or carriers (regardless of legal limits) provided that they do not pose an immediate threat to property or bodily injury to other vehicles, motorist or pedestrians. * Spinner knob on steering wheel. * Reflective tape on motorcycle helmets or if the helmet itself is not reflectorized. Vehicle registrations with typographical errors in identification number will not be rejected provided make, year and plate number on the registration is correct. Advisory items will be inspected and motorist informed that items should be repaired to avoid a summons for equipment violation but don't have to return to station to have items rechecked. MVC will provide cards that will have the following statement: Your vehicle has passed inspection, however the above listed advisory rejection have been identified. Although your vehicle does not have to be re-inspected for these items, they should be repaired. Vehicle owners/operators are responsible for maintaining their vehicle in proper operating condition at all times. 
NEXT MEETING, MARCH 3, 2004 - 10:00 AM SOMERVILLE ELKS CLUB, ROUTE 28, BRIDGEWATER, NJ WE SALUTE OUR FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN |