AroUnD the JerSeY Shore State Officials Targeting Speeding

By Alyssa Riccardi

NEW

JERSEY

– Attorney General Matthew

J. Platkin, the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety (HTS), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have joined together to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding.

Starting July 31, law enforcement will intensify their efforts to enforce speed limits on roads throughout New Jersey. The campaign will increase awareness about the dangers of speeding and the legal consequences of traveling over the speed limit.

According to officials, fatalities associated with speeding have risen nationally by 17 percent in recent years. In 2021, speeding killed 178 people in New Jersey, which accounted for 26 percent of all crash fatalities in the state that year.

Young drivers and motorcyclists are especially prone to high-speed crashes, and represent the largest demographic involved in speeding-related vehicle crashes. In 2021, 34 percent of all drivers involved in fatal speeding crashes were between 17 and 26 years of age, 79 percent were male and 21 percent were female drivers.

In order to combat the increasing problem, law enforcement agencies have amplified their efforts to enforce speed limits and hold those who ignore them accountable.

“Speed kills – it is that simple. We know that more than a quarter of crash fatalities in New Jersey are related to speeding, and that raises real concerns for public safety,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Today’s announcement underscores our commitment to keeping our roadways safe by stepping up enforcement against dangerous and reckless speeding behavior across the state.”

The consequences of speeding: drivers will suffer penalties including fines ranging from $50 to $200, suspension of driving privileges, and the accumulation of points on their driving record. If a driver faces a serious crash or loss of life due to speeding, they may face the possibility of imprisonment.

“Several HTS initiatives are currently underway to promote safety and reduce speeding on the roads. These include ongoing safety messaging and public awareness campaigns through broadcast media and web-based traffic and weather reports, focusing on speeding and other traffic safety related issues. And to assist law enforcement with enforcement efforts, 55 yearlong, sustained enforcement grants totaling $2.5 million have been allocated to local, county, and state police agencies in 2023. These grants will target speed violations, as well as unbelted motorists and driver distraction,” according to a press release.

“When you exceed the legal speed limit, you not only jeopardize your own life but also the lives of innocent people sharing the road with you,” said Michael J. Rizol Jr., Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. “Every innocent pedestrian, every responsible driver, every loving family, all trust you to make the right choice and abide by the rules of the road. Do not betray their trust.”

For more information, visit njsaferoads.com.

Apex Land Predators: Who Are They?

Renee A. Thomaier

Retired New Jersey State Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator

An ‘apex’ predator is one who exists at the top of the food chain, hunting other animals. They have no natural predators; therefore, they are not killed for food. ‘Some’ of them include the polar bear, leopard, wolf, lion, and the African wild dog. Each has their own hunting technique. In desperate times, predators will select prey off their usual menu to survive.

The Polar Bear: Seals and even beluga whales are preyed upon when ice holes are available, as the animal comes up for air. Their success rate is about 10%. Climate changes leave the bear desperately scavenging for food.

The Leopard: A solitary hunter, their success rate, depending on the area in Africa they live, can be 38% in north-east Namibia to only 1% while hunting in the Kalahari. Hunting larger game, they will carry their kill up a tree and feed from there.

The Wolf: Wolves hunt larger prey like white-tailed deer and moose, depending upon where they live. Wolves typically hunt in packs, share their food following a strict hierarchy, are very territorial and will fight for their space.

The Lion: Lions live in groups known as prides. They hunt with all or some of the pride members taking down large game animals, so success rates will vary. Everyone in the pride feeds on the kill, only after the alpha male(s) feed. These males don’t typically hunt, but instead, secure the pride’s territory and protect them.

The African Wild Dog: These are a favorite of mine. They have a success rate of 85%. They are strong runners and can usually outrun most prey. The pack hunts their prey using a chase, then the pack splits, eventually cutting the prey off from escape. They can, however, due to their weight and lean frames, lose half of their kills to other carnivores. Predators are designed to perform the job of securing the balance in nature. Their instincts are better than our science. The less we interfere, the better.

I gathered the information for this article from multiple sources so statistics may vary slightly. To reach me please call 732-244-2768. It’s illegal to possess, relocate, or cause harm to wildlife for any reason. Managing wildlife without the proper state/federal permits is illegal. Violating laws protecting wildlife is punishable by law.