Robert Oches, Chief of Police, Middletown Township Police Department would like to remind the residents of our township to check their vehicles for the winter months.
Be sure your brakes are balanced and pull equally on all wheels which will avoid skids; replace your windshield wiper blades and add proper antifreeze solution to washer; have your battery tested to avoid breakdowns and check headlights and tail lights to be sure all are working. Carbon monoxide is deadly! Check mufflers and entire exhaust system for leaks. You should have snow tires or matching radial tires to ensure traction.
All motorists should take note of a new addition to the motor vehicle laws of New Jersey. It provides for a summons for careless driving to be issued to the operator of any vehicle where an accumulation of ice or snow from their car or truck coming off while driving and striking the vehicle of another. We have all been on the receiving end of these sheets of snow and ice from the vehicles of careless motorists. Avoid a summons; avoid causing damage or an accident by cleaning off accumulated snow and ice before driving.
It is a good safety measure to have a shovel, bag of sand, rock salt, traction mat, booster cables, safety flares, etc. Check your car to make sure you and your loved ones have a safe winter.
Robert Oches
Chief of Police