Aug. 14, 2026, 4:26 a.m. ET
New Jersey police will launch a traffic enforcement initiative on Saturday, Aug. 15, following a fatal pedestrian accident earlier this year.
The New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police announced a Goal Zero “saturation enforcement initiative” targeting dangerous driving behaviors. Officers will conduct high-visibility traffic enforcement to protect pedestrians and reduce accidents.
The initiative addresses the increased risk on Saturdays, noted in a press release, emphasizing the dangers of distracted and aggressive driving during peak summer traffic.
This campaign honors Patti Smith Barrett, a 59-year-old Chatham Borough woman killed by a truck while walking on Fairmont Avenue on Jan. 2. She died five days later at Morristown Medical Center.
The driver, Matthew Vining, 37, of Chatham Township, was charged and sentenced to a year in jail, three years of probation, and a six-month license suspension.
Authorities stress the importance of alert driving, reducing speed, and adhering to window tint regulations, as tinted windows contributed to the incident that claimed Smith Barrett's life.
The Aug. 15 initiative is part of the broader Goal Zero movement aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities through collaborative enforcement efforts. Police hope to deter similar tragedies and enhance road safety.
“Patti's death affected all of Chatham,” said Borough Police Chief Brian K. Gibbons, highlighting the personal impact of traffic violations.