- Drivers Petition For Crackdown On New Jersey Tollway's Dangerous Driving
- Oregon And Pennsylvania Agencies Mark National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Drivers Petition For Crackdown On New Jersey Tollway's Dangerous Driving
NJ.com reports, a commuter who regularly takes the New Jersey Turnpike Authority’s Garden State Parkway to work is so concerned about speeders and reckless drivers that he launched a Change.org petition urging government action to protect law-abiding motorists. The petition, addressed to Governor Phil Murphy (D) and the heads of USDOT and NJDOT, addresses “a critical issue that affects countless individuals in New Jersey — the alarming lack of safety on the Garden State Parkway.” It seeks a state police crackdown on dangerous driving, improvements in driver education and safety messaging, and deployment of traffic enforcement drones. The petition has more than a thousand supporters and a 1,500 signature goal.
A New Jersey State Police spokesperson describes his department’s routine and specialized traffic enforcement operations for NJ.com and insists — contrary to what the petition organizer claims — there are already adequate police patrols on the Garden State Parkway. Yet, NJ. com notes:
- statewide traffic fatalities are currently 15 percent higher than at the same time last year, bucking the national trend toward fewer deaths;
- turnpike authority data shows troopers have issued far fewer citations on the parkway this year (about 66,500) than they did during the same period of 2023 (88,8oo); and
- while parkway fatal crashes are currently trending downward, overall crash investigations are up (by about eight percent), as are motorist aid calls.
Oregon And Pennsylvania Agencies Mark National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
The Oregon Trucking Association (OTA) and Oregon DOT have partnered to offer five free meals to commercial truck drivers at locations around the state as part of this week’s observance of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, KOBI reports. “Driver Appreciation Week is one of our favorite events of the year,” said Jana Jarvis, OTA chief executive. “It gives us a chance to thank the hard-working truck drivers who keep Oregon’s economy moving every day.”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) is hosting events at three service plazas on different days this week. At participating locations, drivers will be offered a free beverage and donut and the chance to enter a raffle for a Yeti® tumbler. PTC also is taking an opportunity to educate non-commercial drivers about safely traveling alongside big trucks. “All visitors can stop by the event’s tent and table outside of the service plaza to learn more about the commercial trucking industry and how to best share the road with these critical vehicles.” PTC’s news release includes a recap of its ongoing work and its accomplishments to alleviate complications from the chronic shortage of truck parking.
Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Oregon Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) Public Outreach And CommunicationThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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