Woodbridge High School in conjunction with the Brain Injury Alliance Foundation of NJ has been

chosen as a “Champion School” for the second year in a row. The group of students comprised of sophomores to seniors, have chosen the theme, “Dare to be Aware!” Through “U Got Brains” an extension of the Alliance program, they are challenging their peers to be mindful of their driving habits to keep them safe. Excited to compete for the grand prize of a driving simulator for our high school, the group is working on various activities. Coordinating with the Woodbridge Police Department’s Traffic Control Unit and our WHS Apple Classes, the students created a video showcasing the reality and consequences of drinking and driving, while also incorporating and highlighting the GDL Laws. Most students think they are invincible, and after seeing this video and seeing peers their own age, familiar surroundings, and the WPD in action “invincible” will take on a whole new meaning. Projects the group has participated in are, marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, handing out bracelets conveying the “Dare to Be Aware” message, hosting assemblies to “drive” home the memo of safe driving, and participating in the WHS open house along with the WPD to answer questions regarding the NJ Driving Laws. In April, in coordination with Allstate, our school will participate in a peer-to-peer pledge event to raise awareness about the many dangers of distracted driving. The group, led by Mrs. Burke, Mr. Clarke, Ms. Small, and Ms. Wiley, Driver's Education teachers at WHS, commend the students, Karli Huber-Sharkus, Carly Deliman, Abishek Bose, Kiki Codero, Hunter Spearnock, Karm Desai, Tracy Fudge, Taylor Greco, Taylor Gautier, Jordan Vasquez, Jerome Adel, and Heather Kish for their dedication to make the Woodbridge High School and our Community a safer place.

Newsletter

MIDDLESEXCOUNTY

CTSPComprehensive

Middlesex County Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program (CTSP)

Middlesex County's Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program (CTSP), funded through the

New Jersey Department of Highway Traffic Safety, is a coordinated effort with the County's 25 municipal police departments to effectively reduce the total amount of motor vehicle accidents that occur in Middlesex County. The program emphasizes an aggressive multi-agency collaborative outreach, coordinated enforcement, targeted educational presentations and the proactive identification of traffic control enhancements. Additionally, the Middlesex County Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program website, http://mctrafficsafety.com was created to expand the program's outreach with regards to ongoing traffic and pedestrian safety initiatives. The CTSP website is a one-stop shop for all traffic, pedalcyclist and pedestrian safety measures and events throughout the County. Educational efforts include the Driver Response Impaired Vision Exercise (D.R.I.V.E.), a unique program utilizing golf carts, vision goggles and a specially designed course to educate teenage drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence. Before the end of the school year in May/June, the DRIVE program will be administered at the “Don’t Drive Dangerously" conference at the County Fire Academy, the Cranbury Drug Free Fair, Highland Park High School, JP Stevens High School, East Brunswick High School and Old Bridge High School.

For Middle School Students at the Evergreen Youth Center

Friday May 6, 2016 3:15-5:30pm

(Rain Date: May 13, 2016)

For More Information Call: 732-634-4500 Ext. 6228

Evergreen Youth Center 400 Inman Ave Colonia, New Jersey

John E. McCormac Mayor

Dennis M. Green Director-Dept. of Health

*Participate in Fun Activities * (must have a helmet to participate)

* Free Helmet to first 25 kids

*Free Bicycle Tune-Up*

* Learn Bicycle Safety *

*Free Give-Aways *

* Snacks and Refreshments*

MIDDLESEX COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERSRonald G. Rios, Director • Carol Bellante, Deputy Director

Kenneth Armwood • Charles Kenny • H. James Polos • Charles E. Tomaro • Blanquita B. Valenti

Officer Daniel Mosakowski and Sergeant Sergeis

Jangols from Monroe Township Police Department, met with seniors at the Greenbriar at Whittingham clubhouse for the Senior Social Club on March 24, 2016. The traffic related presentation included traffic laws, aggressive driving and what the town is doing about improving the roads and making them safer. Any traffic related questions were answered after the discussion.

Monroe Township Police Officers meet with seniors

at the Greenbriar at Whittingham Clubhouse

Dunellen expands its pedestrian safety program,

“Slow Down in Our Town”

On Thursday April 21, Dunellen police officers gathered with children from Faber Elementary

School to expand the Middlesex County “Slow Down in Our Town” pedestrian safety program. This program was created by Freeholder James Polos in 2006 to raise awareness to pedestrian safety. In an effort to combat speeding in residential neighborhoods, “Slow Down in Our Town” enlists the use of signs supplied by the Middlesex County Comprehensive Traffic Safety Program funded by NJDHTS. Over the next few weeks, twenty signs will be placed in the areas surrounding Faber Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School and Washington Park. However, studies have shown that signs permanently erected on streets become so commonplace that motorists often ignore them. Therefore, the Dunellen Police Department will be periodically changing their location in hopes they will draw the attention of the driving public. “Slow Down in Our Town” program is a continued effort by Middlesex County and the Dunellen Borough Police Department to increase roadway safety in residential neighborhoods.

FASTAct (Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act)

Early in 2016 President Obama signed the new transportation bill, called FASTAct (Fixing

America’s Surface Transportation Act). Although the national transportation authorization covers a great deal of ground…literally, there are most certainly provisions in it that affect traffic safety initiatives at the county and local level. For instance, beginning October 1, 2016, (when the new bill takes effect) New Jersey will qualify for the Distracted Driving funds that we have not received previously. It turns out that no states qualified for these funds so they were forced to rewrite the specs, allowing a few of us to qualify. So, next year’s “U Drive U Text U Pay” campaign will have funding attached to it, certainly in Middlesex County where distracted driving, particularly electronic device use, has been steadily enforced and educated. There are other exciting provisions in the FASTAct as well. Have a safe Summer season and please help us promote “Click it or Ticket” from May 23 through June 5, 2016. Ed O’Connor, Regional Supervisor, NJDHTS.