Monday, November 4, 2024
Oradell Kicks Off Months Long Safety Campaign
Mayor James Koth III announced that the Borough of Oradell will be conducting a Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety education campaign to reduce pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes at the intersection of Grant Avenue and Oradell Avenue.
The campaign kicked off with a news conference October 30 at Grant Avenue and Country Club Drive. Speakers included Oradell Councilman Michael Staff, who serves as Police Commissioner, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, Oradell Public School Superintendent Megan Bozios, Sain Joseph School Principal Kassie Pierinelli, and Michael Johnson, EZ Ride Manager of Bike & Pedestrian Programs.
“Public safety is a top priority for the Borough of Oradell,” EZ Ride President & CEO Krishna Murthy said. “The Street Smart NJ campaign will help educate drivers and pedestrians about the safe use of our roadways and is part of the broader set of initiatives to make our community safer.”
Street Smart NJ, created by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) in 2013, is a statewide collaborative effort between public, private, and non-profit organizations. The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role in making our streets safer. Drivers must obey speed limits and stop for people crossing the street. People walking or biking must use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals. Everyone must avoid distractions. Street Smart NJ is one of many initiatives working to reach zero pedestrian fatalities, and more than 240 communities in NJ have successfully implemented the campaign.
EZ Ride, the Transportation Management Association serving Bergen County, will manage the local campaign and work with the municipality, schools, and community partners to educate and distribute safety information. Large educational signs will be displayed at the intersections, and local police will enforce traffic and pedestrian laws as part of the campaign.
Oradell is among 43 municipalities, colleges and businesses in Bergen County that have participated in Street Smart NJ since its inception.
“Pedestrian safety is a fundamental part of building safer, more livable communities across Bergen County,” said Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur. “By participating in the Street Smart NJ campaign, Oradell is taking proactive steps to prevent accidents and educate both drivers and pedestrians on the importance of shared responsibility. We are proud to support initiatives like these that foster safer streets and prioritize the well-being of our residents and look forward to seeing more communities in Bergen County take part in this program.”
She also noted that the campaign aligns with the work Bergen County is doing with the NJTPA to develop a Local Safety Action Plan, which will identify and prioritize strategies for improving safety across the county. Having a plan in place will allow the county and its municipalities to apply for federal Safe Streets and Grants for All implementation grants. To learn more about the plan visit SafetyPlansNJ.org.
Pedestrian safety is a concern nationwide, but it is particularly important in New Jersey. On average, one pedestrian is killed every two days in New Jersey, and twelve are injured daily. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, New Jersey ranked 23rd among states in pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people, and pedestrians comprised nearly 27 percent of the 685 traffic fatalities in the state in 2022, far more than the national average of nearly 18 percent. The intersection of Grant Avenue and Oradell Avenue was selected for this campaign because of its high traffic volume and risk of crashes and pedestrian injury.
Anyone interested in helping to promote the Street Smart NJ message in Oradell should contact Michael Johnson at 201-939-4242 ext. 130 or [email protected]. Learn more at bestreetsmartnj.org. The campaign is also on Facebook and X (@njstreetsmart).