Respect the “Danger Zone”
The school bus loading and unloading area is called the “Danger Zone”. Specifically, this is any side of the bus where a child may not be seen by the bus driver and, therefore, is in the most danger.
Let’s work together to keep our children safe as they wait to ride the bus to and from school.
Pedestrian Safety
Facts about Teen Driver Fatalities
- Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States.
- 2,608 people were killed in crashes involving a teen passenger vehicle driver (15-18 years old) in 2021, of which 861 deaths were the teen driver.
- Parents can be the biggest influencers on teens' choices behind the wheel if they take the time to talk with their teens about some of the biggest driving risks.
Teens buckle up less frequently than adults do. In 2013, over half of teens (ages 15-19) killed in crashes weren’t wearing a seat belt. It’s also impacting their younger passengers: when teens aren’t wearing their seat belts, 90 percent of their young passengers (ages 13-19) who die in crashes also aren’t restrained. Teens need to know that wearing a seat belt can make the difference between life and death.
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws are recognized as the single most effective tool for keeping young drivers safe and reducing teen driver crashes, injuries and deaths. New Jersey has some of the most effective laws in the country, so to celebrate 10 years of Kyleigh’s Law and 20 years of the GDL, we’re asking NJ to #StickToIt. (NJDHTS)
Welcome to the NJPTOA Website
FMCSA Teen Zone
As a new or soon-to-be driver, learning the rules of the road is important now more than ever.
Here you’ll find tips and activities that’ll help you learn even more about road safety.
Welcome to the official site of the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association (NJPTOA).
A unique statewide association, established in 1974, made up of Law Enforcement, Public Sector Agencies, and Private Sector Entities, all with the common goal of enhancing traffic safety in the Garden State.
This site serves as a resource for our members to exchange ideas and build working relationships.
On average, one pedestrian is killed every 2 days and 14 are injured daily on New Jersey’s roads.
Together, we can be the solution.
New Jersey experiences a disproportionate number of pedestrian injury crashes and fatalities compared to the nation as a whole. More than 6 in 10 people walk for transportation, exercise, relaxation, or other activities. The benefits of walking extend beyond the personal and physical to environmental benefits that can lead to healthier, quieter, cleaner, and safer streets. Walking can also improve local economies and enhance social and community engagement, leading to more vibrant, resilient, and livable spaces.
SAFE PASSING LAW
The NJ Safe Passing Law (NJSPL) (A5570/S2208) is now in effect. The new law provides clear rules of the road for all motorists about when and how to pass people sharing the road on foot, on bicycles, on scooters, wheelchairs, or in other legally permitted ways to travel other than a motor vehicle.
Please submit all requests for information to be distributed to our association to: traffic@njptoa.org
and be sure to add it to your "Safe Senders" or "Whitelist" to ensure delivery of our emails.
Slow down and move over – it’s the Law!
Teen Driver Safety
November Traffic Safety Campaigns
Over fifty years ago, a small group of New Jersey Police Officers had an ingenious idea of regularly bringing Traffic Safety Officers together to share ideas and promote highway safety. For half a century, the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers’ Association has been at the forefront of advocating for safer roads, educating communities, enforcing traffic laws, helping create legislation, and implementing innovative solutions to prevent accidents and protect lives.
The first official meeting occurred on June 5, 1974, with a handful of Police Officers electing "Tony" Parenti, the Association’s first President and an Executive Board. Since then, the association has grown from that handful of Officers to over 900 members representing over 300 local, county, state, and federal agencies and private sector organizations, plus over 25 active retired members.
Est. 1974
It is crucial to remind our new and soon-to-be drivers about all the life-saving rules to follow to stay safe behind the wheel!
Our Mission Statement
Established in 1974
This organization shall be known as the New Jersey Police Traffic Officers' Association
which is formed for the following purposes:
- To associate Police Officers engaged in the various areas of Traffic Safety into an organized body so they may be kept apprised of the latest technology, training, and legislation in the areas of Traffic Safety.
- To establish and advance cooperation in the police profession and provide guidance and educational techniques to accomplish the goals of the association.
- To contribute time and effort to the citizens of New Jersey by means of serving on statewide traffic safety committees.
- To recommend and support legislation consistent with the goals and purposes of this association and public safety.
Attention parents have a conversation with your teen about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and the number of passengers.
New Jersey Police Traffic Officers Association
If You Feel Different, You Drive Different
Join the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety initiative to educate the public about the importance of sober driving. The national If You Feel Different, You Drive Different drug-impaired-driving prevention campaign urges drivers to understand the importance of sober driving, and to help get drug-impaired drivers off the road.
Overview
If you’re planning to use marijuana or any impairing drug, do not drive. Designate a sober driver who won’t be using any drugs or call a ridesharing service or taxi. Someone who’s high shouldn’t be making decisions about driving; that’s why planning ahead is key.
It doesn’t matter what term you use — high, stoned, or wasted — never get behind the wheel after using an impairing substance.
In every U.S. state and territory, it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs — no exceptions.
Whether the drug is legally obtained or not, drug-impaired driving poses a threat to everyone on the road.
If you think driving while high from marijuana won’t affect you, you are wrong: It has been shown that marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.
Only Drive Sober
If you are planning to use drugs, plan ahead for a sober driver to safely drive you to your destination.
Like drunk driving, it is essential that drug-impaired drivers refrain from driving a vehicle. It is never okay to drive while impaired by any substance — regardless of whether it was legally obtained.
If you have used an impairing substance such as marijuana, do not drive.
Passengers should never ride with an impaired driver. If you think a driver may be impaired, do not get in the car.
Do you have a friend who is about to drive while impaired by drugs? Take the keys away and arrange to get them home safely. Don’t worry about offending someone — they’ll thank you later. And you might just save a life.
If available, use your community’s sober ride program.[A1]
If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact local law enforcement. [A2]
For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving.
As pedestrians, we are all vulnerable to different safety challenges. Take the time to refresh your knowledge on how you can keep yourself and your family safe while walking to your destination, especially around large trucks and buses.
Pedestrian Safety Month is also a priority for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). With over 7,300 pedestrian fatalities in 2021, NHTSA is sharing more information on pedestrian safety awareness to save lives! So don’t be a statistic – be safe when walking along the roads.
Remember the five tenets of Below 100
Wear your seat belt
Watch your speed
Wear your vest
WIN: What's Important Now
Complacency kills
&
When in traffic
Wear your high visibility safety vest !!
Stay Safe Out There
NJPTOA, NJ DHTS, NJ Dept. of Transportation, NJ State Police, NJ Division of Fire Safety, NJ Turnpike Authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority, and other traffic safety partners have joined forces to make the motoring public aware of the requirement for drivers to
Slow Down and Move Over
when passing a stopped emergency vehicle, highway workers, and tow trucks.
#SlowDown #MoveOver
Bumper stickers for emergency vehicles are available for First Responders, please visit www.NJTIM.org to learn more.
©2019, 2025 NJPTOA Police Traffic Officers. All rights reserved.