New Jersey launches ‘Goal: Zero’ traffic crackdown in honor of fallen officer ahead of Thanksgiving travel surge
Manchester, NJ – Law enforcement officers across New Jersey will flood state roadways Wednesday afternoon in a coordinated effort to prevent crashes, injuries, and impaired driving — a high-visibility traffic safety operation named Goal: Zero and dedicated to the memory of Ocean Gate Police Patrolman Jason Marles, who was killed by a drunk driver on Thanksgiving Eve in 2010.
The statewide detail will take place Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., during what is historically one of the most dangerous travel periods of the year. The initiative aims for zero fatalities, zero serious injuries, and zero impaired drivers on the roads as millions head out for the holiday.
Patrolman Marles had just completed a drunk driving enforcement shift 15 years ago when he was struck and killed on the Garden State Parkway while driving home to his wife and children. His death is a driving force behind the campaign, which has grown into a symbol of statewide unity among New Jersey law enforcement.
As of Monday, the state has reported 517 traffic-related fatalities, with Ocean County (54 deaths) and Middlesex County (41 deaths) reporting the highest totals. The mounting toll underscores the urgency behind Wednesday’s mass deployment, which will see officers from dozens of departments strategically placed on highways, intersections, and known danger zones.
The Goal: Zero campaign, created by Holmdel Patrolman Matt Menosky last year, first united 36 municipalities under a single mission to reduce roadway deaths. Its symbol — a bright green logo — promotes visibility and pedestrian safety, while a black mourning band pays tribute to lives lost.
This year’s detail will again spotlight impaired driving, aggressive behavior, and distracted operation — the leading causes of serious crashes — with targeted patrols expected across interstates, county roads, and local streets.
Agencies statewide will wear black bands over their badges and display the Goal: Zero insignia to honor Marles’ legacy and remind the public of the risks that come with reckless and impaired driving.
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Key Points
- Statewide Goal: Zero enforcement detail will run Wednesday from 3–7 p.m., focused on preventing crashes and impaired driving
- Operation honors Ocean Gate Patrolman Jason Marles, killed by a drunk driver on Thanksgiving Eve 2010
- New Jersey has recorded 517 traffic fatalities this year, with Ocean and Middlesex Counties leading in deaths