Ocean County, New Jersey, is gearing up for a significant traffic safety initiative on Saturday, June 6th, as part of a statewide effort to combat distracted and impaired driving. This initiative, known as the Goal: Zero campaign, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of reckless driving and the importance of adhering to traffic laws. The campaign is a response to the alarming number of fatalities and injuries on New Jersey's roads, with a particular focus on the High Injury Network roads in Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
The High Injury Network identifies roads with the highest injury rates, and on Saturday, police officers will be conducting safety checks on these routes. The participating agencies will be vigilant in enforcing the state's Move Over Law, which requires drivers to reduce speed and switch lanes when approaching a stopped emergency or service vehicle with hazard lights on. This law was introduced in memory of State Trooper Marc Castellano, who was tragically struck and killed while responding to a reported carjacking in 2010.
The Move Over Law is a crucial component of the Goal: Zero initiative, which was established in 2024 by Matthew Menosky in response to the death of John "Jack" Misdom Jr. in 1992. Since its inception, local officers have conducted monthly traffic details to promote safe driving practices. The May traffic detail, for instance, resulted in the citation of numerous drivers for violations such as speeding, improper seatbelt usage, and using a cell phone while driving.
The Ocean County Police Department is dedicating this particular detail to Trooper Castellano, emphasizing the personal connection to the cause. Donna Setaro, the mother of Trooper Castellano, has been a vocal advocate for the Move Over Law since her son's accident, advocating for increased awareness and education about the law. Her efforts, along with the Goal: Zero campaign, have contributed to a significant reduction in fatal crashes in New Jersey, with a 15% decrease in the past two years.
Menosky emphasizes the importance of every driver's choices, urging everyone to "slow down, buckle up, put the phone away, drive responsibly, and never drive impaired." This initiative not only highlights the personal responsibility of drivers but also underscores the broader societal commitment to road safety, as reflected in the Target Zero Action Plan, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2040.
The upcoming traffic detail is a crucial step in the ongoing efforts to make New Jersey's roads safer. It serves as a reminder that road safety is a collective responsibility and that every driver has a role to play in preventing accidents and saving lives.
