SOUTH JERSEY TRAFFIC SAFETY ALLIANCE

Minutes of the General Membership Meeting
February 25, 2003, 10:00 a.m.
Salem County Vo-Technical School

Teresa Thomas opened the meeting at 10:00 AM and introduced Frank Marer, Vice Principal of the Salem County Vo-Technical School to lead the Flag Salute.  He then introduced 3 young men currently enrolled in the law enforcement program at the school.

Minutes 

Teresa directed everyone to the Minutes section of the packets, acknowledging that the Executive Board Meeting Minutes of January 7, 2003 were draft only.  She then asked for comments on the General Membership Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2002.  They were approved without changes or corrections.   

Ongoing Business

 Public Service Announcements

Teresa showed the group the Public Service Announcements that were completed and ready to be sent to the television stations.  They included the Buckle Up Stencil Program, the Bounty Program, and one about the items available to help you carry identification.   

Update on Buckle Up Stencil Program

Although the weather has brought the program to a halt, Teresa said that the release of the PSA should help revitalize the program for the Spring, but that everyones cooperation is needed to help get businesses and organizations involved.  

Update on Saved By The Seat Belt Club

Teresa said that in 2002, 18 people were inducted to the Seat Belt Club and so far in 2003 she has inducted 7.  Saved By the Seat Belt Posters have been sent to all libraries in the counties, and a press release was sent out regarding such.   

Teresa mentioned that she hopes to have a PSA made for this program as well.  She mentioned that she would like for everyone to look through their local newspapers for any articles, clippings or pictures regarding the Alliance or any of its programs, as well as any articles, pictures or clippings regarding accidents in or around your community especially those that state that the crash/accident victim was saved by their seat belt.  This is a great opportunity for individuals to be contacted and notified about being inducted into the Saved By The Seat Belt Club.  All police departments will be receiving their posters soon.  

Teresa mentioned that the Safety First Newsletter is a great opportunity to have people find out exactly what we have going on as far as meetings, training programs etc.  When you are through with reading it, hang it on a bulletin board or pass it on to someone that may be interested in what we do.

Update on 2003 Child Passenger Safety Seat Inspection Campaign

Lt John Bieniakowski stated that the CPS Certification Course held at the DRBA in February included 17 participants.  The next class will be held in May and only has a few seats remaining.  

The Bounty program kick offs at the DRBA for Cape May County and the Mays Landing Rescue Squad for Atlantic County were successful and said the posters should be available soon.    

Lt Bieniakowski mentioned that The NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety had released a scaled back version of the CPS certification course for day care workers etc.    Anyone interested in hosting or participating in the course should contact Teresa.   

Update on DRBA Partnership

Sgt Klochak spoke about the kick off for the program, the kick off for the Bounty Program and the CPS Inspection Event, all held Thursday, February 13 at the Sunset Lounge in the Ferry Terminal.  He explained that the DRBA had allocated a certain area in the lobby for the Alliance to display brochures and flyers, and play a traffic safety video.  He went on to say that they would be working with Lower Township Police to host a 101 Days of Summer Kick Off and Bicycle Safety Bowl rodeo in May.  

Teresa stated that one of the most important aspects of the partnership is to provide literature outlining the different laws between the two states.   She apologized for not bringing examples, but that they had produced a brochure outlining the different bicycle, pedestrian, occupant protection and impaired driving laws.  That they had also produced a CPS Poster, which is now on each Ferry and in the two terminals, explaining the 8 and 80 law in New Jersey and the 6 and 60 law in Delaware.   

Teresa went on to say that the DRBA Police had been established as a Fitting Station for Cape May County and that they would be helping the Alliance with seat belt checkpoints for stats in both Salem and Cape May Counties.  This was included in the program because the states seat belt observation survey does not include those two counties.   

Finally, Teresa said that an article about some aspect of the program would be included in each Traveler magazine, which is supplied to all passengers on the Ferry.   

New Business 

ACTION Approve 2003 Bicycle Safety Bowl.
Approval was granted for the second year of the Bicycle Safety Bowl.  Teresa reviewed the program and asked for comments or suggestions to change it.  Being none, it will be the same as last year.  Anyone interested should contact Teresa.

ACTION Approve Saved By A Bike Helmet Club

Teresa stated that forms are now available for this program but that the Alliance needed a give away similar to the baseball cap for the seat belt club.  Suggestions included: sticker for the helmet, t-shirt, replacement helmet and water bottle.  These will be discussed at the next Executive Board Meeting and the new Club will be promoted during the Bicycle Safety Bowl.  

ACTION Approve Defensive Driver Program

Teresa directed everyone to the program outline in the packet.  She said that the program was designed to allow the DDC 6-8 instructors to teach on their own time and make money.  The Alliance will provide the books, flip chart and video.  It is the responsibility of the instructor to obtain a location, advertise the course, register the course with the State Safety Council, collect money and submit all required forms with checks to the Alliance.  $10.00 of the $25.00 fee per student goes to the instructor and the remaining to the Alliance to cover the cost of materials.  There is a maximum of 25 to 30 students per class. 

 Presentations

  Bicycle Driving Courses League of American Bicyclists
John G. Waltz, P.E., Bikeway Engineering 

Mr. Waltz showed a power point presentation outlining the uses and challenges relating to bicycling in New Jersey.  He informed the members that the League of American Bicyclists does have a course to become a bicycle instructor but it is very costly.    

  Operation Lifesaver
R.E. Nace, Southern Norfolk Police Department 

Mr. Naces showed a video about trains and the importance of knowing the rules and proper regulations of being on, near, and around the train or its tracks. 

He explained Operation Lifesaver, which is an active public education program, is designed to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and deaths at railroad intersections.  Operation Lifesaver strives to increase public awareness of highway-railroad crossing hazards and to improve the driver and pedestrian behavior at the intersections.   

Operation Lifesaver has had a definite impact in reducing the number of grade crossing crashes that occur each year by continuing to concentrate on education, enforcement, engineering and evaluation.  

He impressed the importance of law enforcement officers with rail grade crossings in their town attend the investigation course being offered April 9 and 10 at the 911 Cumberland Training Center.    

Legislation:  None 

Other 

Teresa explained that Mr. Raniszewski from SAFE Program, Virtua Health Program is looking for location in Cape May County to do the program.  She asked those Cape May County representatives at the meeting to consider hosting a program that other school officials and personal could be invited to attend.  The program is about the dangers of drinking and driving for high school students 

Review of 2003 Survey 

Teresa explained that the survey was distributed in the quarterly mailing but that there was still time to complete one and turn it in.  Forms were available at the meeting.  They will all be reviewed by the Executive Board Meeting in April. 

Review Use of SJTSA Trailer 

Teresa explained that there was a copy of the agreement that needs to be filled out and signed prior to the use of the SJTSA Trailer.  Any request should support the goals and objectives of the Alliance also provided in the packets. 

Training

 Teresa continued to explain when the next meetings and training classes were scheduled:

 Flagging Procedures, Monday, March 24 (1/2 day), Merighis Savoy Inn, Vineland 

Flagging - Train the Trainer, March 25 and 26, Merighis Savoy Inn, Vineland

 Railroad Crash Investigation April 9 and 10, Cumberland 911 Training Center

 Police Work Zone Safety Thursdays, May 8,15, 22, and 29, Merighis Savoy Inn, Vineland

General Discussion 

The South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance Meeting, The 101 Days of Summer is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2003, in Atlantic County.  Sgt Ruggeri, Hammonton PD, suggested Kramer Beverage.   

Teresa stated that one of the comments mentioned on the reviews that she received was that the meetings should be held earlier and that Tuesdays are a conflict because of the Chiefs meetings.  This is to be discussed at the next Executive Board Meeting. 

There was also a request that the meeting day change from the third Tuesday to the first Thursday.  This will also be discussed at the next Executive Board Meeting. 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.