Bill Text: NJ AR277 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges counties and municipalities to adopt "Slow Down, Save Lives" public awareness initiative.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-06-26 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee [AR277 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AR277-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman NICHOLAS CHIARAVALLOTI
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Urges counties and municipalities to adopt "Slow Down, Save Lives" public awareness initiative.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging counties and municipalities to undertake an initiative to raise awareness of efforts that can reduce road traffic deaths.
Whereas, Road traffic crashes lead to the loss of over 1.2 million lives and cause non-fatal injuries to as many as 50 million people around the world each year, and nearly half of the people who die or are injured in these crashes are pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists; and
Whereas, In 2016 the number of motor vehicle deaths in the United States totaled 40,200, which represents a six percent increase from 2015, and a 14 percent increase from 2014; and
Whereas, According to the National Safety Council, the estimated cost of motor vehicle deaths, injuries, and property damage in 2016 was $432.5 billion, a 12 percent increase from 2015; and
Whereas, According to the New Jersey State Police, 603 people died from road traffic crashes in this State in 2016 and, in 2015, there were 264,582 crashes which caused 547 deaths and 60,431 injuries; and
Whereas, There is a misconception that road traffic crashes are accidental and that nothing can be done to prevent them when, in reality, these everyday occurrences are both predictable and preventable; and
Whereas, Studies performed by many of the world's leading road safety experts and their agencies have proven certain interventions to be effective in reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries; and
Whereas, A number of countries around the world have implemented evidence-based practices which have successfully reduced the number of road traffic crashes; and
Whereas, Speed management, enforcement of laws, and raising public awareness and support through education are some of the evidence-based interventions that can significantly decrease the number of road traffic deaths; and
Whereas, According to the World Resources Institute, the consequences of a road traffic crash will be substantially less severe at a lower speed, especially if the crash involves a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorcyclist; and
Whereas, Studies have found that a pedestrian has a 90 percent chance of survival if hit by a vehicle moving at speed of 18.64 mph; a 70 percent chance of survival if moving at a speed of 24.85 mph; and a less than 20 percent chance of survival if the vehicle is moving at a speed of 31 mph; and
Whereas, Additional studies have found that lower speeds only marginally increase trip times in urban areas; and
Whereas, In an effort to address the loss of lives on its roadways, Hudson County has adopted a "Slow Down, Save Lives" initiative to increase enforcement of all traffic safety laws as well as pedestrian traffic laws, such as jaywalking; and
Whereas, It is in the best interests of the citizens of New Jersey for all counties and municipalities in this State to implement a "Slow Down, Save Lives" initiative to curb speeding along the State's roads and highways through enforcement of laws and by providing the public with the necessary knowledge and incentives to reduce the number of road traffic injuries and deaths; and
Whereas, It is, therefore, altogether fitting and proper for this House to urge all counties and municipalities in this State to implement a "Slow Down, Save Lives" initiative; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The General Assembly of the State of New Jersey urges all counties and municipalities to undertake a "Slow Down, Save Lives" initiative designed to improve safety on the State's roads and highways through enforcement of speed limits and traffic safety laws, including laws that require drivers to yield to pedestrians in walkways and prohibit jaywalking, and by providing the public with the necessary information and incentives to reduce the number of road traffic injuries and deaths in this State.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the New Jersey League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors, and the Association of Counties.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges all counties and municipalities to implement a "Slow Down, Save Lives" public awareness initiative designed to improve safety on the State's roads and highways through enforcement of speed limits and traffic safety laws, including laws that require drivers to yield to pedestrians in walkways and prohibit jaywalking, and by providing the public with the necessary information and incentives to reduce the number of road traffic injuries and deaths in this State.
Road traffic crashes lead to the loss of over 1.2 million lives and cause non-fatal injuries to as many as 50 million people around the world each year. Nearly half of the people who die or are injured in road traffic crashes are pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
In 2016 the number of motor vehicle deaths in the United States totaled 40,200, which represents a six percent increase from 2015, and a 14 percent increase from 2014. According to the New Jersey State Police, 603 people died from road traffic crashes in this State in 2016 and, in 2015, there were 264,582 crashes which caused 547 deaths and 60,431 injuries. In addition to the devastating loss of life, there are significant economic repercussions associated with motor vehicle deaths, injuries, and property damage, which were estimated by the National Safety Council to cost $432.5 billion in 2016, a 12 percent increase from 2015.
There is a misconception that road traffic crashes are accidental and that nothing can be done to prevent them. In reality, although road traffic crashes are an everyday occurrence, they are both predictable and preventable. Studies performed by many of the world's leading road safety experts and their agencies have proven certain interventions, such as speed management, enforcement of laws, and raising public awareness and support through education, to be effective in reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries. A number of countries around the world have implemented evidence-based practices which have successfully reduced the number of road traffic crashes.
It is in the best interests of the citizens of New Jersey for all counties and municipalities in this State to implement a "Slow Down, Save Lives" initiative to curb speeding along the State's roads and highways through enforcement of laws and by providing the public with the necessary information and incentives to reduce the number of road traffic injuries and deaths.
