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
September Schools Open Drive Carefully
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
School days bring congestion: School buses are picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, harried parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It's never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.
If You're Dropping Off
Schools often have very specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know them for the safety of all kids.
● Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
● Don't load or unload children across the street from the school
● Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school
Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians
According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they're walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:
● Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you
● In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
● Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
● Take extra care to look for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
● Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
● Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
● Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way
Sharing the Road with School Buses
If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
● Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
● If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
● The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
● Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks
Sharing the Road with Bicyclists
On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions
● When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
● When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
● If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, always use your turn signals
● Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
● Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
● Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
● Check side mirrors before opening your door
By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.
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.