Holmdel police officer starts grassroots campaign to reduce fatalities on Monmouth County highways

Patrolman Matthew Menosky started the “Goal Zero” campaign to raise awareness of driver safety.

Jim Murdoch

Feb 21, 2024, 10:59 PM

Updated 229 days ago

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Zero deaths. Zero injuries. Zero crashes. Goal Zero. That's the message on Wednesday from every police department in Monmouth County along Route 34.
It is all part of a campaign started by Holmdel Patrolman Matthew Menosky.
Seven police departments will be highly visible and have extra enforcement in order to get drivers to pay attention and slow down.
Anyone driving on Wednesday – may have seen flashing signs on Route 34 and an example of what a tragic, fatal car crash looks like.
“I came up with the Goal Zero campaign. It's something grassroots, trying to culminate all aspects of traffic safety and get more involved in the actual engagement,” said Menosky.
From Matawan to Wall, police will be out in full force along Route 34 – a relatively straight stretch of highway – but one filled with hazards. A 3-year-old child died on this section in Howell Township in January, just north of the Route 33 split. The family’s vehicle was hit head on by what police say was an impaired driver.
“For the straight character of it, with some of the horrific crashes over the years, it’s just horrible,” Menosky says. “So, it’s a good location to pick to start doing this kind of stuff.”
“It’s a long stretch of highway, two lanes in both directions, and you get some pretty high speeds out there and that’s what we are looking for – to slow down, get some distracted drivers, as well as impaired drivers – that's what causes the fatalities,” said Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran.
People shopping at Delicious Orchards on Route 34 say this is needed.
“Fantastic. Route 34 can be dangerous because people try to pass, not going the right speed, and it’s only two lanes and it’s gotten very busy over the last few years,” said Scott Drayer, of Aberdeen.
“There’s that mentality that it will never happen to me, but you will be dead wrong and that’s unfortunate. You’ll either be involved or lots of times you’ll see lots of tragic things happen to good people and sometimes it’s as simple as sending a text message and you’ll end someone’s life,” added Menosky.
Menosky says he would like to expand on this campaign – because already in 2024 – nine people lost their lives in Monmouth County. There have been more than 70 deaths statewide on New Jersey highways so far this year.