Speeding this Weekend? Prepare to Meet a State Trooper

Anyone caught speeding or worse this Thanksgiving weekend won't be able to fall back on the old, "Those dang troopers were hiding in the bushes and snuck up on me" excuse–not when the State Police have issued a statement telling us in advance that they're planning on watching us like hawks.

The goal is to have a fatality-free Thanksgiving weekend in New Jersey, police said. There were nine motor-vehicle deaths during the holiday weekend in 2009 and another nine 2008. 

According to the State Police, the two biggest things you can do to help the effort are to stay sober and wear your seatbelt. They report that lap/shoulder belts, worn correctly, can cut the risk of fatal injury to front seat passengers by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent.

These are some common-sense driving tips issued by the State Police:

• Steer clear of "road ragers." Challenging an aggressive driver for a position is a dangerous way to get to your destination a few seconds sooner.

• Prepare before you drive. Map your route; fill your tank; check your tire pressure, lights and wiper blades. These simple steps may save you more than time on the highways.
• Use a designated driver. If alcohol figures into your Thanksgiving activities, plan to have one driver stay sober.
• Insist that all vehicle occupants use seatbelts.
• Don't drive drowsy. The symptoms of driving tired are similar to those of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Make sure you get enough rest.

"The goal of New Jersey motorists and the State Police should be the same: to have a fatality free Thanksgiving holiday," said Colonel Rick Fuentes, superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. "Motorists can do their part by driving responsibly, wearing seat belts, and staying focused on the road. Troopers will be there to stop and ticket those who don't."