Target Zero

Jan 14, 2025

By Dustin Racioppi and Madison Fernandez

Good Tuesday morning!

The Murphy administration on Monday set the ambitious goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries in New Jersey by 2040. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill creating the Target Zero Commission, a 13-member group that will “focus on data-driven strategies that prioritize roadway design, speed management, and safety for all road users.” It has a year to propose an action plan.

So much of the state’s transportation discourse, especially under Murphy, has been focused on the troubles of NJ Transit and the controversial congestion tolling plan that will largely squeeze Jersey drivers.

The reality is that New Jersey is extremely car-centric, and it’s a problem when it comes to safety. All the evidence you need is passing the random roadside memorials throughout the state, seeing someone in the next lane texting on the highway or just trying walk to the store — it’s like Frogger out there sometimes.

Traffic-related fatalities are one of the leading causes of death in New Jersey, according to the State Police. Murphy noted that from 2023 to 2024, traffic fatalities increased 14 percent and pedestrian deaths rose 32 percent. In 2022, New Jersey ranked 23rd nationwide in per capita pedestrian deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In pure numbers, New Jersey’s 183 pedestrian deaths were the 10th most in the country that year.

It’s a national problem, too. The advocacy group Smart Growth America calls road deaths an epidemic. The number of people killed while walking increased 75 percent since 2010, and 2022 hit a 40-year high.

So a new commission seems like a commendable step toward making streets safer. It will also help provide data and resources to towns and cities to assist them in developing their own Target Zero plans. Some have already begun that work, and Hudson County has set its own “vision zero” target for 2034.

But the government and law enforcement can only do so much. Speeding, “driver inattention” and alcohol and drugs are regularly top contributors to traffic deaths, according to the State Police.

Probably everyone reading this newsletter — and certainly this author — has been guilty of a heavy foot or picking up the phone while behind the wheel. Every so often we are shocked into being more responsible, like when the Gaudreau brothers were killed by an allegedly drunk driver while biking in Salem County.

It’s beyond me why vehicle interlocking devices aren’t standard to prevent drunk driving or smartphones don’t automatically lock when a car is in motion, but the bottom line is it ultimately won't matter who’s governor and what the new commission does between now and 2040. Target Zero won’t work unless everyone on the road takes it seriously.

— Dustin Racioppi

WHERE’S MURPHY?: At the Statehouse to deliver his penultimate State of the State speech.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I just can’t believe the American people have given him a pass on denying that he lost four years ago. I believe with all my heart it is still the right thing to do for the country and for the office.” — Gov. Phil Murphy, explaining to reporters why he’s attending President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration despite “all the challenges and issues with Trump.”

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at dracioppi@politico.com and mfernandez@politico.com (Also please welcome Madison Fernandez to the POLITICO New Jersey team. You’ll be seeing her byline much more soon, particularly on the governor’s race.)

WHAT TRENTON MADE

THE GANG’S ALL HERE — Five New Jersey governors will be at Cooper groundbreaking with Norcross, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: George Norcross will stand alongside Gov. Phil Murphy and four prior New Jersey governors later this month at a hospital groundbreaking as the South Jersey Democratic power broker faces racketeering charges, according to an invitation for the event. The attendance of Murphy and the state’s prior chief executives — Tom Kean, Jon Corzine, Jim McGreevey and Chris Christie — underscores the potent political support Norcross still has despite facing state charges. The groundbreaking is for an expansion of Cooper University Health Care’s health sciences campus in Camden.

STAYNJ OF THE STATE — “Phil Murphy brought fiscal stability to NJ. Can he sustain it in his final year?” by The Record’s Charlie Stile: “Phil Murphy’s final lap as a two-term Democratic governor of New Jersey will begin Tuesday as he takes to the dais in the state Assembly chamber to deliver his seventh State of the State speech. The speech gives Murphy a chance to lay out his final set of priorities as he formally wobbles into the final year as a lame duck, eclipsed by the all-consuming race to succeed him in January 2026. He is expected Tuesday to outline a 'robust' agenda for his final year — initiatives on reproductive rights, property tax relief, education and public safety are expected — but preservation of his past achievements may very well be the chief goal for Murphy before he leaves office.”

BATTLE FOR THE BALLOT — “Senate prepares to increase petition signature requirements,” by the New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Legislation to increase the number of nominating petition signatures needed to get on the ballot in New Jersey elections will be put to the Senate for a vote [Tuesday]. The bill, which passed the Assembly, 46-28 in December, raises the number of signatures required to get on a statewide ballot from 1,000 to 2,500 in primary elections and 800 to 2,000 in general elections, 200 to 500 for candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, and for State Senate and Assembly candidates, the requirements would go from 100 to 250 for both elections.”

TRY TELLING THAT TO UNITED VAN LINES — “New Jersey Leads the Northeast in Population Growth,” by InsiderNJ: “New Jersey is kicking off 2025 with record-levels of growth including the largest number of jobs and employers to date; and the largest population in the state’s history. New Jersey now leads the Northeast in year-over-year population growth rate with the number of residents climbing to an estimated 9,500,851, according to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents an increase of 1.3% or 121,209 from 2023.”

— “PSE&G fined $6.6 million, but cost shouldn’t be pushed back to ratepayers, watchdog says”

— “State shuts down 'peace pods' at American Dream mall over lack of permits”

BIDEN TIME

IF YOU DON’T KNOW HIM BY NOW — Former MTA head expected to lead Gateway tunnel project, by POLITICO’s Ry Rivard: Thomas Prendergast, a former head of the New York MTA, is expected to be the next head of the Gateway Development Commission, the bi-state agency building $16 billion train tunnels between New York and New Jersey, according to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office. “Tom has a proven track record moving mega projects forward and a deep experience with all the key stakeholders, agencies and the construction challenges that are key to continuing the significant progress we’ve made on Gateway, with more to come," Schumer said in a statement. "Tom’s experience fits the qualifications needed for this job to a tee."

TAKING THE WIND OUT OF THE SAILS — “Van Drew drives offshore wind freeze,” by NJ Spotlight News’ Benjamin J. Hulac: “For years, President-elect Donald Trump has furiously criticized renewable energy sources, including offshore wind farms. To freeze the offshore wind industry, Trump asked Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) to draft an executive order — something presidents issue without action from Congress — on the topic, Van Drew said. … The executive order would halt offshore wind activities for six months as the federal government reviewed the industry, Van Drew said.”

— “Wife of disgraced ex-NJ Sen. Bob Menendez loses bid to postpone corruption trial”

— “Andy Kim Took on New Jersey’s Broken Politics. America is Next”

— “Chris Christie rips Gov. Newsom, California officials as wildfires rage: 'Enormous failure'”

LOCAL

AND SO IT BEGINS — “Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Jabbour officially launches campaign for mayor,” by Hudson County View’s John Heinis: “Hoboken Councilwoman-at-Large Emily Jabbour has officially launched her campaign for mayor, making her the first candidate to enter the field after incumbent Ravi Bhalla declared he wouldn’t seek a third term. … Jabbour ran with Bhalla in 2017 and 2021, winning [by] a comfortable margin both times, and quietly emerged as a potential successor to Bhalla in late 2023 as he prepared to challenge U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-8) in the June 4th, 2024 primary. … Jabbour is expected to be in a competitive field that includes at least three of her colleagues: 2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, 3rd Ward Councilman Mike Russo, and 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos. … Also of note is that Jabbour’s campaign has brought on Christian Duffy, a veteran of Garden State ballot box battles who served as a deputy campaign manager for Menendez in his epic showdown with Bhalla.”

SPYGATE — “Readington mayor says it's time to move on from 'immature and embarrassing' behavior,” by MyCentralJersey’s Mike Deak: “After a tumultuous year marked by political turmoil, Adam Mueller has been selected by his fellow Township Committee members to serve a second consecutive one-year term as mayor …Mueller said that in 2024 allegations of campaign sign thefts and wiretapping 'cast a shadow' over Readington and were 'an embarrassment.' He said these acts were 'deeply troubling and wholly unacceptable' and a 'distraction' to the 'critical work' of the Township Committee.”

— “Ex-Atlantic City Housing Authority employee pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud”

— “What is EZDriveMa scam and what to do if you get it”

EVERYTHING ELSE

THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC — “Teacher Arrested After Threat Caused Montclair to Close Schools, Police Say,” by Montclair Local’s Matt Kadosh: “Authorities have arrested a Montclair Public Schools staff member who is on administrative leave in connection with the threat that caused the district to close schools on Monday, according to police. Officers arrested Amir Doctry, 45, at 8 a.m. at a residence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and charged him with making 'terroristic threats,' Montclair police said in a statement. Additional charges are pending, police said … Police said the threat made online was 'directed at a specific staff member' of Northeast Elementary School.”

Follow us on Twitter