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RESOLUTION #R07-145

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION TO THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY FOR AN OBEY THE SIGNS OR PAY THE FINES SPEED ENFORCEMENT GRANT OF JULY 1 THROUGH JULY 31, 2007

WHEREAS, there were 773 motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey in 2006; and

WHEREAS, one-third of all crashes on our nations roadways, and two-thirds of the resulting fatal crashes, can be attributed to aggressive driving, the key violation of which is speed; and

WHEREAS, consider this estimate in light of the number of motor vehicle crashes that occur each year in New Jersey, as well as the number of fatal crashes that occur annually, you begin to understand the great devastation that aggressive driving and speed is causing on the roads of our state; and

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ranks New Jersey ninth in the nation in population, and is in fact the most densely populated state, with a vast system of local, county, state and federal roads and highways; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey will participate in the Obey the Signs or Pay the Fines speed enforcement during July 1st through July 31, 2007 in an effort to raise awareness that impatient drivers often make poor decisions, which in turn place themselves and others in dangers; and

WHEREAS, the Division of Highway Traffic Safety conducted a Tri-State Pilot Speed Enforcement Crackdown, where 115 police agencies participated in the campaign within four target counties, which resulted in 26,894 summonses were issued by the participating departments, including 6,357 for speeding; and

WHEREAS, as part of the statewide priority of reducing speed-related crashes, the 2006 pilot program will be expanded into 2007; and

WHEREAS, there are monies available under the Highway Safety Grant with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for a Obey the Signs or Pay the Fines Speed Enforcement Program; and

WHEREAS, it would be in the interest of the Township of Vernon to apply for said monies; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Vernon Township declares its support for the Obey the Signs or Pay the Fines speed enforcement crackdown from July 1st through July 31, 2007 and pledges to increase awareness that impatient drivers often make poor driving decisions.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the Township Council of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey, that the Mayor and Township Clerk are hereby authorized to execute and sign any and all documents in order to effectuate the receipt of the Grant monies between the Township of Vernon and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for the Obey the Signs or Pay the Fines speed enforcement program in the amount of $4,000.

The effective dates for this program will be from July 1, 2007 through July 31, 2007.

This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption according to law.

CERTIFICATION

I hereby certify that the above resolution is a true copy of the resolution adopted by the Vernon Township Council at their regular meeting held on Monday, July 9, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Vernon Municipal Center, 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

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Patricia A. Lycosky, R.M.C.
Township Clerk