New Jersey drivers do not have to be victimized in aggressive driving incidents. The New Jersey State Police are currently operators of the #77 Dangerous Driver system, a roadside system developed to ensure public safety and life-threatening risks.
Instead of engaging in road rage by swearing, throwing objects, or having physical altercations, this is an alternate solution that state officials are encouraging both affected motorists and observers to utilize.
According to the New Jersey State Police website, in a statement addressed by superintendent Colonel Joseph R. Fuentes, he explains what incidents are appropriate to report.
“The #77 Dangerous Driver System should be used to report aggressive or erratic driving that poses a risk to other motorists on the roadway. While these calls are important, 9-1-1 calls are prioritized over #77 calls as required by law.” Fuentes said.
Motorists should provide information such as license plates, car models, and the location when assisting law enforcement because they do not operate like the emergency 9-1-1 hotline.
“That’s why it is important for all wireless users to remember to provide call-takers with the exact location of the incident (roadway, direction, milepost), type of emergency, description of those involved(vehicle registration, make, color), and a callback phone number.” Fuentes said.
Carley Angelina Machnik, a second-year Health Sciences major at Mercer says that she has experienced aggressive driving in the form of tailgating or better described as driving too close behind a driver.
“This girl was tailgating me for about 6 minutes straight. It was making me really annoyed and nervous but then eventually she got around and cut me right off right before a red light.” Machnik said.
When Machnik learned how she could report these incidents to state officials, she wishes she would have known it sooner.
In an article called “The Fast and the Furious” published by the American Psychological Association, psychologists agree that the anger outbursts on the road are because of internal struggles people fail to acknowledge.
“Certain psychological factors, including displaced anger and high life stress, are also linked to road rage. In addition, studies have found that people who experience road rage are more likely to misuse alcohol and drugs.” the American Psychological Association stated.
Seeking appropriate treatments to manage anger disables drivers from projecting personal issues onto other people.
Austin Lee, a Pre-Medicine Major explains how in order for New Jersey drivers to effectively use the #77 hotline, they will have to learn how to control their anger.
“Some people might not take it into consideration and stick to old habits. I think if it became more spread and as more people use it, then hopefully it will become normalized.” Lee said.
Lee also adds that erratic drivers can contribute to car accidents, making them forget that there are people behind the wheel.
In the article, “Bad NJ Drivers Should Expect A Warning In The Mail” by journalist Tom Davis, he explains how #77 hotline has reduced motor vehicle fatalities.
“Fatalities on New Jersey roadways have decreased 7.4 percent, year-to-date, from 229 in 2016 to 212 in 2017, according to New Jersey State Police statistics last updated on June 6.” Davis stated.
State officials have expanded the operating system by allowing motorists and observers to report all types of dangerous driving, creating safer roadways to travel on.
All aggressive and distracted drivers should be held accountable. With the implementation of the #77 Dangerous Driver system, motorists have access to report all types of driving incidents to state officials, all while reducing motor vehicle fatalities.
“We all need to be careful because I think a lot of people forget that behind the wheel, there are people just like you and me. People make mistakes, I make mistakes, but ultimately we should really keep in mind that accidents are very prone to happen on the road.” Lee said.
