TRENTON, N.J. — Police departments across New Jersey will increase traffic enforcement on Saturday as part of a statewide Goal Zero initiative aimed at reducing pedestrian fatalities and serious crashes during one of the busiest weekends of the summer.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) announced the coordinated enforcement effort will take place throughout the day and evening on Saturday, Aug. 15, with officers focusing on unsafe driving behaviors that endanger pedestrians.
The initiative is dedicated to the memory of Patti Smith Barrett, a 54-year-old Chatham resident who died after being struck while walking along Fairmount Avenue in January.
Initiative honors Chatham pedestrian killed in January
According to NJSACOP, Barrett was walking in an area without sidewalks on Jan. 2 when she was struck by a Ford F-150. She suffered critical injuries and died five days later at Morristown Medical Center.
Authorities said the driver, Matthew Vining of Chatham Township, later pleaded guilty to third-degree vehicular homicide and failure to maintain a lane. He was sentenced to 364 days in county jail, three years of probation, 80 hours of community service, and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
Investigators identified illegal window tint on the windshield and passenger-side windows as a contributing factor in the crash.
“Patti Smith Barrett’s death is a tragic reminder of why Goal Zero matters,” NJSACOP President and Collingswood Police Chief Kevin J. Carey said. “This mid-summer saturation detail honors her memory by putting officers on the road to protect pedestrians and hold drivers accountable for unsafe behavior.”
Officers targeting dangerous driving behaviors
Participating agencies will focus enforcement on violations commonly associated with pedestrian crashes, including distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, failure to yield, inattentive driving, and illegal window tint.
“Goal: Zero is ultimately about preventing another family and another community from experiencing a loss like this,” Chatham Borough Police Chief Brian K. Gibbons said. “By dedicating this detail to her memory, we hope motorists will understand that distracted, inattentive, aggressive, and unsafe driving are not abstract traffic violations—they can have irreversible consequences.”
Key Points
- Police statewide will conduct Goal Zero pedestrian safety enforcement on Saturday, Aug. 15.
- The initiative honors Chatham resident Patti Smith Barrett, who died after a January pedestrian crash.
- Officers will target speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving, failure to yield, and illegal window tint.
The Goal Zero campaign combines education with enforcement and seeks to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries throughout New Jersey.
NJSACOP urged motorists to remain alert, obey traffic laws, yield to pedestrians, reduce speed, eliminate distractions, and ensure their vehicles comply with New Jersey’s window tint regulations.
Saturday is statistically one of the deadliest days of the week for pedestrian crashes. By coordinating enforcement statewide during the height of the summer travel season, law enforcement agencies hope to deter dangerous driving behaviors before they result in serious injuries or fatalities.
FAQ
What is Goal Zero?
Goal Zero is a statewide traffic safety initiative focused on eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through education and enforcement.
When is the enforcement initiative?
Saturday, Aug. 15, throughout the day and evening.
Why is this initiative being dedicated to Patti Smith Barrett?
Barrett died after being struck by a vehicle while walking in Chatham earlier this year. Organizers say the initiative honors her memory by promoting safer driving.
What violations will officers focus on?
Distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, failure to yield to pedestrians, inattentive driving, and illegal window tint.
Who is organizing the effort?
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police in partnership with law enforcement agencies across the state.
Source: New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police
