The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police (NJSACOP) announced an upcoming statewide “Goal Zero” enforcement and awareness initiative for Friday, January 16, from 3-7 p.m.
The timing is deliberate and strategic, targeting the high-risk Friday afternoon “getaway” period that marks the start of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend, one of the most congested travel periods of the winter season.
Law enforcement agencies across New Jersey will increase visibility and enforcement, focusing on behaviors that continue to contribute to serious and fatal crashes, including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving and intersection violations.
The initiative builds on a year of remarkable progress in traffic safety, NJSACOP officials say. In 2025, New Jersey saw a reduction of more than 16% in fatal traffic crashes, a significant achievement that reflects the impact of coordinated enforcement, data-driven deployment and sustained public education.
“This is phenomenal news,” said Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, NJSACOP president. “That kind of downward trend is exactly what the Goal Zero initiative was designed to spark. It shows that when law enforcement, safety partners and the public work together, lives are saved.”
Beyond the statistics, NJSACOP leaders emphasized the human impact behind the numbers. In 2025, the reduction meant 104 fewer fatal crashes, 104 fewer chaotic scenes that never happened, and 107 people alive today because of improved roadway safety.
“That means 107 neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family members are starting 2026 because of the coordinated enforcement and education efforts taking place across our state,” Chief Caggiano added. “Those lives saved are the true measure of success.”
NJSACOP Traffic Safety Committee Chairman Chief William Parenti (Ret.) stressed that Goal Zero is a long-term commitment, not just a one-day campaign.
“Goal Zero is about more than a single enforcement period or awareness event,” said Chief Parenti. “Safety doesn’t have an off-season. While the public may notice extra patrols around New Year’s or the Super Bowl, the reality is that life-altering crashes happen on ordinary Tuesdays and heavy-traffic Thursdays. Goal Zero is about making every trip safe, regardless of the date on the calendar.”
The Goal Zero initiative aligns with New Jersey’s broader Target Zero vision, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries through a comprehensive approach that combines enforcement, engineering, education and community engagement.
NJSACOP continues to work closely with the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to support and coordinate strategic traffic enforcement, which the men and women in law enforcement are ready to deliver.
“As the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend approaches, we urge all drivers to plan ahead, slow down, buckle up, drive sober, and stay alert, especially during peak travel times, said Michael J. Rizol Jr., director of the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety.
“We can continue our progress toward zero fatalities,” Rizol said. “But only if we stay focused, stay vigilant, and keep safety a priority on every road, every day.”
Learn more at njsacop.org