It is indeed an honor to write about an effort which has taken shape in the State of New Jersey over the past several months. As you might recall, I wrote about attending the kick-off of our move-over law out on the New Jersey Turnpike early last year. Since that time a coalition has formed to bring the law to the public.

This effort began as a project of the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute. The institute formed a committee to begin studying the problem of making the public aware of the new law which was designed to protect emergency responders on the highways of our state.

This committee of the Fire and EMS Institute received some significant assistance from members of the state's law enforcement community. The South Brunswick Police Department allowed Chief Ray Hayducka and Sergeant Ken Drost to labor on this important project. They were assisted by Lieutenant Scott Iannuzzo from the Piscataway Police Department. The members of the Institute working on this committee were Roger Potts, Carl Christensen, and Artie Hayducka. David Matos, the Executive Director of the Institute, served to coordinate and publicize the actions of the committee.

The efforts of these people led to the development of an array of informational posters and handouts which outline the 'move-over' law and its impact upon the safety of our emergency responders. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has begun posting the 'Move-Over' message on their electronic signs at the area's many bridges and tunnels. All three of the state's major Bi-State Bridge> and Tunnel agencies have agreed to join this effort at the facilities.

In addition all of the involved groups are working to identify ways in which to use the public safety announcement on this message which was developed by the New Jersey Division of Highway Safety. Other efforts have involved the state's motor vehicle commission. Special inserts have been developed for use with the state driver's license renewal program. They will be sent out with all renewals in the coming year.

Support for the efforts of this group came from a variety of places. The New Jersey State Traffic Officers Association has stepped up to the plate to support and assist this project. The Middlesex County Traffic Officer's Association has joined with their state associates to distribute the informational literature currently available from the coalition.

Kean University is working to develop a 'move-over' component for the new K-12 Traffic Safety Program which they are creating. In addition support is being generated for a poster competition which would allow students in the state to compete with their peers in the development of new highway safety posters. An emphasis on the 'move-over' law would be added to this program.

More than 20,000 informational palm cards have been printed for use in Middlesex County and state traffic safety programs. A number of agencies have indicated that they would like to take part in this effort. Efforts continue to identify new ways of broadening the message to reach drivers in the Garden State.

Let me suggest that this is an effort which needs to be reviewed and copied for use around our nation. It has been my experience that having laws about things is a good starting point. However, until people know and understand the law, it will not reach its maximum impact point. Please join with my home state in putting out the word about your state's 'move-over' laws.