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June 28, 2005

Unlicensed Drivers, Unsafe Vehicles Ticketed during 1-Day Stop

Woodbridge Township spent a little over three hours this month to rid its roadways of unsafe drivers and vehicles, Mayor Frank G. Pelzman announced.

“On June 16 Woodbridge Township Police assisted inspectors from the New Jersey Department of Transportation in a commuter bus and van inspection on Industrial Avenue in Keasbey,” said Mayor Pelzman. “Fourteen vehicles were impounded and 61 summonses were issued to drivers of the vehicles for improper vehicle insurance, equipment violations, unlicensed drivers and illegal transportation-for-hire.”

There were no arrests and no injuries. No bus or van passengers were asked for identification, nor were any passengers detained. “The purpose of this operation was to send a warning that individuals or companies operating illegal commercial transportation will not be tolerated on our roads,” said Councilwoman Brenda Yori Velasco. “Improperly licensed and inspected vehicles not only put their passengers at risk but also are a threat to the safety of other motorists.”

The state’s bus and van inspection program began in 1999 in response to several fatal van accidents involving the for-hire transportation of day workers in Middlesex County. Since then 1,283 vehicles have been inspected, and 479 vehicles were taken out of service for serious safety violations and/or lack of proper insurance. Close to 7,400 total safety violations were discovered.

This past week State Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex) and Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), Chair of the Assembly’s Transportation Committee, stated they will initiate legislation that would levy penalties against owners of unsafe vans and the companies that contract with them.

In the meantime, illegal commercial operators should consider steering clear of Woodbridge. “We believe this is a serious safety issue for our residents,” said Mayor Pelzman. “We will conduct future inspections and do whatever we can to solve the problem.”