Sponsored by:
Senator JIM WHELAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates May 2012 as "National Youth Traffic Safety Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution designating May 2012 as "National Youth Traffic Safety Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of young people in New Jersey and across the nation, resulting in more than 5,000 teenage deaths annually in the United States; and
Whereas, The risk of a fatal motor vehicle crash is higher among 16 to 19 year olds than among any other age group in the United States; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, teenagers represent the largest category of drivers involved in crashes; while teenagers account for only six percent of licensed drivers in the State, they are involved in 13 percent of all car crashes; and
Whereas, Car crashes involving teenagers are often the result of distraction, inexperience, speeding, and failure to yield, resulting in a teenager crashing every 10 minutes in New Jersey; and
Whereas, Teenagers have a far greater risk of death from an alcohol-related car crash than the overall population, despite the fact that teenagers are below the minimum drinking age; and
Whereas, A greater amount of teenage crashes occur in May than in any other month and eight of the 10 deadliest days for youth on the nation's highways occur between May and August; and
Whereas, May is an important time for teenagers to focus on driving safety as prom, graduation, and summer trip season greatly increase the potential for traffic-related deaths and injuries involving young drivers; and
Whereas, May is "National Youth Traffic Safety Month," empowering youth-led teams to work together to decrease the number of traffic-related deaths and injuries that involve young drivers and passengers during this time of increased risk; and
Whereas, During the month of May events, contests, and promotions are held around the United States to raise awareness about the risks and dangers teenagers face on the road and to educate teenagers about safe driving habits; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. May 2012 is designated as "National Youth Traffic Safety Month" in New Jersey.
2. The Governor is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates May 2012 as "National Youth Traffic Safety Month" in New Jersey. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death of young people in New Jersey and across the nation, resulting in more than 5,000 teenage deaths annually in the United States.
The risk of a fatal motor vehicle crash is higher among 16 to 19 year olds than among any other age group. Teen crashes are most often the result of distraction, inexperience, speeding, and failure to yield. In addition, teenagers have a greater risk of death from an alcohol-related crash than the overall population.
A greater number of teenage crashes occur in May than in any other month. May is an important time for teenagers to focus on driving safety as prom, graduation, and summer trip season greatly increase the potential for traffic-related deaths and injuries involving young drivers. May is "National Youth Traffic Safety Month," empowering youth-led teams to work together to decrease the number of traffic related deaths and injuries that involve young drivers. During the month of May events, contests, and promotions are held around the United States to raise awareness about the risks and dangers teenagers face on the road and to educate teenagers about safe driving.