Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is Next Saturday

Galloway Township will take part in Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day next Saturday, Oct. 10. The council passed a proclamation approving the township's participation at the council meeting Tuesday night, Sept. 27.

The national initiative was designed to create a day in which there are no fatalities by encouraging drivers to obey all traffic laws, including fastening your seat belt, driving the speed limit, avoiding distractions behind the wheel and driving sober.

In order to comply with the national observance, the Galloway Township Police Department will have a stronger presence on the roads, Chief Patrick Moran said as he read the proclamation Tuesday night.

Last year, 556 individuals in New Jersey died as a result of motor vehicle accidents, down from 583 the year before.

"Clearly, this effort will go a long way in our continuing efforts to stem the tide of tragedies that occur every day on New Jersey's roadways," Township Manager Steve Bonanni said in a release. "Shining the spotlight on this one day can help create a groundswell of support for good driving behaviors that can carry over throughout the year."

He added that he felt the day would help drivers make "positive changes" every day throughout the rest of the year.

For more information about the program, visit brakesonfatalities.org.