South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance

FY 2003 Highway Safety Grant Application

Part V dated 8/9/02

 

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION - In 2000, the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance (SJTSA) members completed a Safety Needs Assessment Survey.  As a result, Alliance members identified traffic safety issues, problem areas and locations, and traffic safety needs.  The most frequently-mentioned safety concern was the lack of sidewalks and use of motorized scooters and go-peds on roads, by children with no knowledge or use of traffic rules or laws. 

In June 2002, the SJTSA surveyed law enforcement and school personnel regarding back to school and school bus safety.  The most common problem between motorist and school buses is motorists passing a bus when flashing red lights are on.  

Throughout the 4 counties there were 130 school bus incidents in 2000.  Of that total, 7 were identified as improper passing by a motorist and 29 and driver inattention by the school bus driver.  Those numbers translate to:

 

County          Total                Improper Passing            School Bus Driver Inattention

Atlantic             54                              1                                  12

Cape May       18                                2                                  4

Cumberland     46                                3                                  9

Salem              12                                1                                  2

 

Nationally, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for every age from 4 through 33 years old.  Vehicle occupants accounted for 87 percent of traffic fatalities in 2000.  The remaining 13 percent were pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and other non-occupants.  The number of motor vehicle occupants and non-occupants killed and injured increased in 2000 to 41,821 from 41, 717 in 1999.

Total motor vehicle crashes for the region equaled 21,757 for 2000.  Of those 86 were fatal collisions with 103 persons killed.  Of that 103, 96 were vehicle occupants and the other 12 included 5 pedestrians, 4 bicyclists and 3 motorcyclists. 

 

County       #Fatalities    Occupants    Bicyclists   Pedestrians  Motorcyclists   Trains

Atlantic        47                    42              3            1                      1                   0

Cape May    8                      7               0            1                      0                    0

Cumberland 31                    26            1            2                      2                     0

Salem           17                    16             0            1                      0                     0

 * motorcycles are considered motor vehicles so that figure has been separated from the occupant figure.

 

Nationally, in the year 2000, there were 16,653 fatalities in alcohol related crashes.  This is a 4 percent increase compared to 1999, and it represents an average of one alcohol related fatality every 32 minutes.  The intoxication rates for drivers in fatal crashes in 2000 were 27 percent for motorcycles, 20 percent for light trucks, 19 percent for passenger cars, and 1 percent for large trucks.  NHTSA estimates that alcohol was involved in 40 percent of fatal crashes and in 8 percent of all crashes in 2000. 

Regionally, in the year 2000, there were 41 fatalities in alcohol related crashes, representing a 12% increase from 1999.  Total alcohol related crashes (a/r) for 2000 equaled 416.  Below is the breakdown by County.

 

County       2000 a/r Crashes             2000 Fatalities                       1999 Fatalities          

Atlantic                         177                              17                                9

Cape May                    66                                5                                  5

Cumberland                109                              12                                15

Salem                             64                                7                                  7

Atlantic County is made up of 19 municipalities, 3 of which are designated high growth and are dissected by the major arteries of US 40, US 322 and US 30.  Of the 177 a/r crashes, 18 occurred on US 40, 9 on US 322, and 22 on US 30.  Crashes by growth community and major artery are highlighted below.

                      2000 a/r Crashes             US 40              US 322            US 30

Hamilton Twp                    29                    8                      6                      0

Galloway Twp                    22                    0                      1                      9

Egg Harbor Twp                45                    8                      2                      3

 

Cape May Countys largest road problem related to alcohol is Route 47.  Of the total 16 a/r crashes on that road, 9 were in Dennis Township, 6 in Middle Township and 1 in Lower Township.  The other roadways with high stats are US 9 with 8 (1 Lower Twp, 3 Middle Twp and 4 Upper Twp) and CR 610 with 5, all in Upper Township.

Cumberland Countys a/r fatality concentrations occur in Vineland (4) and Deerfield (3).  Vineland also accounted for the highest number of a/r crashes (33 out of 109), while Deerfield only had 8.  A concentration of a/r crashes can be seen on CR 552 in Deerfield Twp (5), Route 49 in Fairfield Twp (5), Route 47 in Maurice River Twp (5) and Millville (2), and in Vineland, Route 55 (4), CR 552 (5), and CR 555 (4).

Salem Countys total of 64 is the lowest but with 2 more fatalities.  There is no one or two municipalities with higher fatal numbers but Pittsgrove does have the highest number of a/r crashes (18).  There is also no real concentration of a/r crashes with 7 on US 40, 6 on US 130, 5 on CR 540 and 3 on Route 49. 

Nationally, speeding exceeding the posted speed limit, driving too fast for conditions, or racing is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes.  In 2000, 593,000 people received minor injuries in speeding related crashes.  An additional 71,000 people received moderate injuries, and 39,000 received serious to critical injuries in speeding related crashes.

However, in the Alliance region there were only 12 fatalities related to unsafe speed. 

Nationally, there were 2,862 motorcycle fatalities in 2000 accounting for 7 percent of all traffic fatalities for the year.  In 2000, 38 percent of all motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes were speeding.  The percentage of speeding involvement in fatal crashes was approximately twice as high for motorcyclists as for drivers of passenger cars or light trucks, and the percentage of alcohol involvement was about 50 percent higher for motorcyclists.

In the Alliance region there were only 3 motorcycle fatalities in 2000 (1 Atlantic County, 3 Cumberland County), accounting for only 2.9% of the total motor vehicle fatalities.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Center for Statistics and Analysis, motorcyclist fatalities account for most of increase in fatalities from 1997 to 2001.

HISTORY OF ALLIANCE - Formed in 1998, the Alliance brings together traffic safety professionals from the fields of law enforcement, community education, engineering and planning, from Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem Counties.  The mission of the Alliance is to assist all agencies and organizations, within the county and municipal structure, with problem assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of educational and enforcement programs, and engineering recommendations.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION - The intent of this project is to educate the citizens of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem Counties, about all aspects of highway traffic safety, but especially in regards to: defensive driving, drunk driving, child passenger and seat belt safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, and school bus safety.  This project will mobilize the four counties into a grass roots approach to seek support and participation of local and county government agencies, law enforcement agencies, educators, volunteer fire and rescue squads, planners and engineers.

While education alone may not lead to changes in behavior, education and awareness can establish a readiness that is often essential for effective implementation of injury prevention measures.

The SJTSA will continue to work in conjunction with the NJDHTS to conduct public awareness campaigns, education programs, and develop and implement highway traffic safety training programs.  

 

6.  To hold at least one CPS Certification Courses using our instructors and concentrating on personnel other than law enforcement.

7.   To continue to promote the Buckle Up Stencil Program throughout the four counties, by showcasing at least two new participants in Press Releases, in each county.  

8.   To continue to promote through the media The Saved By The Seat Belt Club and schedule two public induction ceremonies.

9.   To attend at least four County Chief and Traffic Officers monthly meetings to update them on the programs.

 

III)   OBJECTIVE - Pedestrian Safety

To increase awareness and compliance of pedestrian laws by both pedestrians and drivers, in the four county area. 

STRATEGIES

 

1. To continue to provide educational materials and mobile trailer to Alliance members performing pedestrian safety programs.  It is estimated that there will be at least one event per county.

2. To continue to work with the SJTPO to address the lack of sidewalks concern, identified by Alliance members in the 2000 Safety Needs Assessment Survey, through capital projects.

3. To attend at least four County Chief and Traffic Officers monthly meetings to update them on projects.

 

IV)   OBJECTIVE Bicycle Safety

To increase awareness and compliance with the state Helmet Law and rules of the road through an organized friendly competition between schools, known as the Bicycle Safety Bowl (BSB).  

STRATEGIES

1.   To continue to provide educational materials and the mobile trailer to Alliance members performing bicycle safety programs and participating in the Bicycle Safety Bowl.  It is estimated that there will be at least one event in each county.

2.   To institute the second year of the Bicycle Safety Bowl (BSB).  A two part program combining in school educational lectures and bike rodeos for county winners and a regional winner.  Will publicize the BSB through 2 press releases.

3.   To continue to provide website information on the BSB program and scheduled rodeos. 

4.   To attend at least four County Chief and Traffic Officers monthly meetings to update them on the program.

 

V)    OBJECTIVE - School Bus Safety

To increase awareness and compliance with the state law requiring all motorists to stop when school bus flashing lights are on, through public information and education.

STRATEGIES

1. To continue to provide educational materials and the mobile trailer to Alliance members performing school bus safety programs.  

2. To continue to spotlight successful programs to address school bus safety at Alliance Quarterly meetings and in the quarterly newsletter.

3.   To continue to distribute school bus safety posters to schools and public gathering places like county and municipal buildings, libraries, police departments and supermarkets.

5.   To continue to promote the use of Do Not Pass School Bus signs, similar to those in Cumberland County, throughout the four counties.

6.   To attend at least four County Chief and Traffic Officers monthly meetings to update them on the program.

 

 

VI)    OBJECTIVE Defensive Driving

To provide the NJ State Safety Council DDC courses to the general public.  The course provides an opportunity to educate the public on various traffic safety issues, including, school buses, trains, bicycles, pedestrians, speeding, aggressive driving, and drunk driving.

STRATEGIES

1.   Hold at least 2 DDC 6/8 programs for the general public (especially in the minority communities), municipal agencies and local businesses. 

2. To certify 1 DDC school bus driver instructor and hold 1 class.

3. To provide website information on the DDC course and course schedule. 

 

 

VII)  OBJECTIVE DRBA

To work with the Delaware River Bay Authority (DRBA) to educate patrons of the Cape May Lewes Ferry about various traffic safety issues, including, drunk driving, bicycle and pedestrian safety, buckle up, and child passenger safety seats.  The Cape May Lewes Ferry sees 1.3 million people each year and 80% of those are motorists.

 

STRATEGIES

1. To schedule a Kick Off Event with representatives from each State.

2. To provide educational brochures about the laws in NJ.  The brochures will be available in the terminal on the NJ side and at the tourist center at the Delaware Memorial Bridge. 

3. To provide five traffic safety video spots, between 30 seconds to 5 minutes, to be played on the Ferry TVs.

4. To provide a video player for the terminal on the NJ side and to provide the traffic safety educational and informational videos to be played.   

5. To design and produce a poster, to be displayed on the Ferrys, comparing the different seat belt and child passenger seat laws of the two states. 

6. To hold one child passenger seat certification course, at the NJ side terminal, for employees of DRBA and DRBA Police assigned to the NJ side.

7. To establish a Fitting Station at the Cape May County Ferry Terminal for ferry riders and Cape May County residents.  Including supplies such as noodles, locking clips, seats, Emergency ID Stickers, etc. and a banner.

8. To hold 4 Inspection Events at the Ferry location on the New Jersey side with an Alliance booth (pamphlets and safety items).

9. To design one sign informing Ferry motorists that NJ is a primary seat belt state.  Location of sign to be decided among DRBA representatives.

10. To design and produce palm cards regarding primary seat belt law and differences between seat belt laws and child passenger seat laws of the two states.

11. To advertise the program and services available in the Travel publication, produced 4 times a year, by the DRBA and given to every patron.

12.   To host one of the 2003 Bicycle Safety Bowl Rodeos, at the Ferry location with an Alliance booth (pamphlets and safety items).

 

VIII)  OBJECTIVE Training

To provide training programs for our members and the general public regarding all types of highway safety issues. 

 

STRATEGIES

1. To host 2 CPS certification courses.

2. To host 3 work zone safety courses through Rutgers University.

3. To host 2 DDC 6/8 courses.

4. To host 1 DDC for school bus drivers. 

5.   To host 1 Operation Lifesaver Grade Crossing Investigation Course.

6.   To host 1 Impaired Driving Training Courses for police and municipal prosecutors.

 

IX.)  OBJECTIVE   Safety Seminar/Awards Luncheon

To showcase programs of excellence, in the four county region.   

STRATEGIES

 

1. To establish a Review Committee to review nominations and determine winners.

2. To announce event through a Press Release and Alliance and SJTPO newsletters.

3. To prepare special edition newsletter highlighting the Alliances accomplishments and commemorating the day. 

4. To schedule event and speakers and invite the press.

5. To announce winners through one Press Release.