By Alexis Tarrazi
Senior Reporter

EAST RUTHERFORD (Dec. 6, 2007) — During the holiday season, people seem to be more in a rush than usual. As part of the “Keep Kids Alive Drive 25” safety campaign, the East Rutherford Police Department is reminding everyone to slow down.

Photo by Alexis Tarrazi Collaborating together, the East Rutherford Police Department and Mayor and Council have been able to kick off the “Keep Kids Alive Drive 25” safety campaign. The campaign urges motorists to be more observant to speed limit signs in residential areas. Shown from left to right are: ERPD Captain Anthony Krupocin, Councilman and Police Liaison George Perry, Faust School’s eighth grade drama class, ERPD Officer Marino Rotondo and Councilman Sam Stallone. (Not shown is ERPD Sgt. Dominick Greco.)

The community-wide campaign kicked off with the help of the ERPD and the mayor and council. ERPD Traffic Safety Officer Marino Rotondo and Councilman Edward Ravettine erected 30 signs on residential streets, near schools, parks and libraries and at intersections. Magnets and decals will soon be placed on borough vehicles such as garbage trucks, street sweepers, recycling trucks and more. Residents have also jumped on board by picking up their own key chains, car magnets, T-shirts or lawn signs sporting the campaign logo.

“Keep Kids Alive Drive 25” is a non-profit organization that focuses on urging motorists to always be observant to the residential speed limit of 25 mph, which in turn can help reduce fatalities in the neighborhood. Already being practiced and promoted in many towns nationwide, Councilman Sam Stallone said he saw the campaign and brought it to East Rutherford.

“There is a problem with cars speeding through the streets, and with this campaign, it can keep watchful eyes  on it,” Stallone said.

With the campaign in full force now, ERPD Traffic Safety Sgt. Dominick Greco said he has already seen a difference. “When drivers see the signs, you can see their brake lights come on,” Greco said.

Don’t think speeding is a big deal? Check out some of the facts provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Most drivers who speed down local streets live in the area and can be clocked at speeding in excess of 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. In 2005, 43,443 deaths occurred on American roadways, which is an average of 119 deaths per day. The death rate per 100 million miles traveled on residential streets is over twice the rate on highways. More than 1,000 people die every month from speed-related crashes.

To help lower these numbers, residents can: slow down and observe the residential speed limits; talk with neighbors about watching out for kids in the neighborhood; set rules for your children about safe places to play and avoid playing in the street; post a campaign sign in your yard; or display a magnet or bumper sticker on your car.

“The bottom line is to bring attention to this. The signs, decals and magnets catch the driver’s eye. The more we have in the area, the better it is. It really is an attention-getter,” Rotondo said.

To get a lawn sign, T-shirt, magnet, key chain or decal, contact the ERPD at 201-438-0165. To learn more about the Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 campaign, or to make a donation, visit keepkidsalivedrive25.org.