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75 Martine Avenue, Fanwood, NJ 07023 - 908/322-7773 FAX - 908-322-2200 or 908-889-6359 Safety Wings | Tony Parenti , Editor MEETING NOTICES: Next Regular Business Meeting: The Next Regular Business Meeting is WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2006, 10:00 AM at The Somerville Elks Club, Route 28 (Union Avenue) Bridgewater, NJ. Board Of Directors: The next meeting is on February 22, 2006 beginning at 11:00 am at the John H. Stamler Police Academy. If you need directions call 908-889-6112 or NJPTOA Office 908-322-7773.  PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: As you will see on page 2 in this newsletter, there were 743 fatalities recorded on NJ roads in 2005 compared to 723 during the same period in 2004, an increase of 20 bodies. It will take some time to study the types of crashes, their causes, and to develop and implement corrective measures. But I suspect the general lack of attention to traffic safety matters at various levels of government may be a contributing factor. It seems there has been a steady deterioration in traffic safety programs during the past several years. More and more attention is going to homeland security and terrorism, and rightfully so. But the battle against terrorists and securing our safety often falls into the lap of officers engaged in traffic stops. So if government wants to get the most bang for their buck they should beef up traffic safety programs and by doing so they will fight terrorism and reduce needless highway deaths at the same time. Stay Safe - Bill. RADAR TUNING FORK TESTING: NJ Weights & Measures will test and certify Radar Tuning Forks at our March meeting for departments N through Z. To expedite the process, sort all tuning forks by miles per hour in banded bundles, list each fork on their invoice including miles per hour and serial number, and have your department's purchase order entirely filled out including the mailing address section along with a copy of their invoice. The cost for testing radar tuning forks is $10.00 per fork. Any questions or comments call 732-815-4851 and speak with Supervisor Anthony Neri or 732-815-4859 and speak with someone from his staff. 
22ND MID-ATLANTIC REGION SAFETY & LOSS CONTROL EXPO: The New Jersey Safety Council will hold their Expo at the Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on April 25-27, 2006. The 3-day professional development conference features the latest information on Construction, Compliance, General Industry, Health & Wellness, Loss Control, Emergency Response, Homeland Security, Air Force Safety Programs, Transportation and lots more. More information is available by calling the Safety Council at 908-228-3834. REMEMBER THE SCHOOL SAFETY PATROLS? The American Automobile Association sponsored the first School Safety Patrols in the 1920's. Since then many youngsters proudly wore a sash and badge as they helped fellow students cross the street. With the influx of adult school crossing guards and liability issues, School Safety Patrols generally have been limited to hall monitoring rather than assisting students cross streets. Now the NJ State Police and AAA are instituting an updated program called the "Youth Leadership Safety Patrol." The program began in the East Dover Elementary School in Dover Township and will now be offered to fifth and sixth-graders throughout the state. The updated version will continue with instruction on traffic and bicycle safety and will also teach lessons about homeland security, gang-related issues, the environment and Internet. Students participating in the program are the leaders in the school helping to set a good example for the rest of the students. About 900 schools throughout the state expressed an interest in the program. For further information contact NJSP Lt. John Muccino, Community Affairs. MEMBERSHIP DUES: The 2006 membership dues per department remain at $35.00. Bills were included in the January 2006 newsletter. If you have not already done so, please process payment as soon as possible. Thanks. A copy of the NJPTOA "Business Registration Certificate" was included last year with the January 2005 newsletter. Anyone still needing a certificate or a bill may contact Ginny at 908-322-7773.  As of Week 52, 2005 , there were 743 fatalities recorded on NJ roads compared to 723 during the same period in 2004 AN INCREASE OF 20 BODIES. .
As of this report, there were 346 driver deaths, 122 passengers, 133 pedestrians, 49 motorcycle drivers, 02 Motorcycle passengers, and 15 pedacyclists. There were 668 fatalities in 619 cashes CARS SAFER FOR KIDS THAN SUV'S: Researchers looked at crashes involving nearly 4,000 children under age 16 from 2000 to 2003, and found children in rollovers were three times more likely to be seriously injured in SUV'S than riding in conventional passenger cars. But they also say SUV'S will probably improve because of legislation approved by Congress this year that requires standards for automakers to address rollovers. 
RED RIBBON PROJECT: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers instituted the "Red Ribbon Project" that places red ribbon magnets on local police vehicles. The program encompasses seven counties and they expect it will grow throughout the state. The program draws attention to DWI by placing the name of a local victim on the magnetic ribbon. Monmouth County is one of the latest entries with the "Tara Colegary Red Ribbon Project." Tara died in a traffic crash on New Year's Day in Florida six years ago. Police cars in Monmouth County will display her name on the ribbon magnets. WHAT'S A "TWEEN"? The Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety released a report detailing motor vehicle passenger habits of children between the ages of 8 and 12, an age group it calls "Tweens." The study shows tweens do not always wear safety belts and many sit in front seats. Gary Myerovich, a spokesman for the NJ Division of Highway Safety, says parents need to be role models for their kids. He says if children see their parents buckle up they are more likely to do the same. He also believes parents need to set rules and enforce them and suggests they tell their children they must sit in the back seat until they reach a certain age ... no exceptions. National fatality data shows when adult drivers are not restrained, 91% of 8 to 15 year old fatalities are unrestrained. But, when adults are restrained, 48% of 8 to 15 year old fatalities are restrained. Research also shows children are 40% more likely to be injured in the front seat than in the back seat during a motor vehicle crash. THIS COULD MAKE SOMEONE CROSS-EYED: A man in Seattle, Washington got much more than what he bargained for when he went to siphon gasoline from a motor home. Apparently he plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake and passed out when he sucked up the wrong stuff. He found out the hard way that crime doesn't pay! 
NEXT NJ ASSOCIATION OF ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTIONISTS MEETING: February 27, 2006 beginning at 6:30 P.M. at the John Stamler Police Academy (Union County). After the meeting there will be a presentation on a new Cad-Zone drawing program. The meeting and presentation is open to all - members and nonmembers. No cost to attend - complimentary coffee and donuts. CHIEF WANTED: Freeport, Texas is looking for a Chief of Police. Qualifications are: Minimum of 10 years law enforcement experience, five of which as a supervisor, must be able to run 1 ½ miles in 16 minutes 28 seconds, dash 300 yards in 72 seconds, be able to do 25 push-ups, 29 sit-ups in under a minute and leg press your own body weight once. Looks like they want a chief that will go into the Olympics! ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SAFETY BELT AND BULLETPROOF VEST SUPPORT OUR TROOPS IN THE ARMED SERVICES WE WISH YOU AND YOURS A HEALTHY & HAPPY NEW YEAR |