Starting Tuesday, New Jersey State Police will be participating in the I-95 Challenge, a six-day safety crackdown up-and-down the east coast.

 

I-95 sign
I-95 sign (Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media NJ)
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The International Association of Chiefs of Police is leading the "Drive to Save Lives" campaign, which is aimed at significantly reducing the more than 33,000 highway deaths that occur annually on U.S. roadways.

Fourteen state police and highway patrol agencies will take part in the initiative. They will target large trucks and buses but will also be stopping motorists in all vehicles who are speeding, driving aggressively, using cell phones while driving and ignoring seat belt requirements.

"We are always exploring new ways to combat crash-related fatalities and injuries,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police in a statement.  “In addition to increased boots on the ground, we plan on using social media messaging to educate and ultimately deter unsafe driving practices, not only along I-95, but statewide.

Interstate 95 in New Jersey has two sections: from the Pennsylvania border to Route 1 in Mercer Count and again on the New Jersey Turnpike from exit #7A to the George Washington Bridge.

There will be two other periods of intense patrolling this year:  August 4-9 and December 29-31.

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