Garwood kicked off a month-long Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety campaign today.
The, which aims to change unsafe behavior and reduce pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes, will focus on the intersection of South Avenue and Center Street.
“Public safety is a top priority for the Borough of Garwood,” Mayor Sara Todisco said in a statement. “The Street Smart NJ campaign will help to educate drivers and pedestrians alike about the safe use of our roadways and is part of the broader set of initiatives to make our community safer.”
EZ Ride, the Transportation Management Association that serves Union County, is managing the campaign. EZ Ride will work with the Borough, school, and community partners to educate and distribute safety information. Local police will be enforcing pedestrian-related laws as part of the campaign.
The campaign kicked off with a 2 p.m. news conference outside Borough Hall today.
There were 13 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and seven crashes involving bicycles in Garwood from 2015-2019. None of those crashes were fatal. However, last year, two senior citizens were hit and killed by cars while crossing the street.
Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, who represents the county on the NJTPA Board of Trustees, issued a statement praising Garwood’s commitment to making pedestrian safety a priority and called on residents and visitors to help make Borough roads safer for everyone.
“Drivers must avoid distractions, stop for people crossing and slow down for safety. Pedestrians should use crosswalks or cross at intersections and wait for the walk signal or green light before stepping into the road,” she said. “These simple actions will save lives.”
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