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VERNON TOWNSHIP
RESOLUTION #R08-73

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION TO THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY FOR A SEATBELT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (“NJHTS”) reports that more than 2,000 unbuckled drivers and front seat passengers died on New Jersey's roadways in the past 10 years; and

WHEREAS, NJHTS reports that approximately 700 unbuckled drivers and front seat passengers were thrown out of their vehicles during crashes and killed in the past 10 years; and

WHEREAS, NJHTS reports that there were 716 motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey in 2007; and

WHEREAS, NJHTS reports that a large percentage of the motor vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not wearing a safety belt; and

WHEREAS, NJHTS reports that the use of a safety belt remains the most effective way to avoid death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash; and

WHEREAS, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 135,000 lives were saved by safety belt usage nationally between 1975-2000; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey will participate in the national Click It or Ticket safety belt mobilization from May 19 – June 1, 2008 in an effort to raise awareness and increase safety belt usage through a combination of enforcement and education; and

WHEREAS, NJHTS has set a state-wide goal of increasing the safety belt usage rate in the state from the current level of 91% to 93%; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, all 496 police department in New Jersey participated in the Click It or Ticket Program, including the Township of Vernon Police Department, which issued 186 seatbelt violations as part of the Program;

WHEREAS, funding is available under the Highway Safety Grant with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for the 2008 Seatbelt Enforcement Program for communities that wish to participate in the Program; and

WHEREAS, the Township Council finds that it is in the best interest of Vernon Township to participate in the 2008 Seatbelt Enforcement Program ; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Township of Vernon, County of Sussex, State of New Jersey that Vernon Township declares its support for the Click It or Ticket safety belt mobilization both locally and nationally from May 19, 2008 through June 1, 2008 and pledges to increase awareness of the mobilization and the benefits of safety belt use.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED 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 funds between the Township of Vernon and the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety for Seatbelt Enforcement in the amount of $4,000.

The effective dates for this program will be from May 19, 2008 through June 1, 2008.

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 Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Vernon Municipal Center, 21 Church Street, Vernon, New Jersey.

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Andrea Bates
Acting Township Clerk