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share the road

Rutgers-New Brunswick Joins Statewide Pedestrian Safety Campaign

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Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc.
Arlene Holt, Operations Manager
732-745-4465, Ext. 102
aholt@kmm.org

RELEASE DATE: February 6, 2025

Street Smart NJ works to change behaviors that contribute to pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ – The Rutgers-New Brunswick Police Department has launched a Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety campaign that will continue through the spring semester to raise awareness about ways to reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

This public education campaign is being conducted in partnership with Keep Middlesex Moving, Inc. (KMM) the transportation management association for Middlesex County. The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) is also hosting campaigns on the Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark campuses this semester. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) manages the Street Smart NJ program, which has worked with more than 275 colleges, municipalities, counties and other partners across the state to change the behaviors that contribute to pedestrian-vehicle crashes.

“Safety at Rutgers is a shared responsibility. The RUPD is committed to engaging and educating both the university and surrounding communities,” said Kenneth Cop, Vice president of Public Safety and Chief of University Police. “As part of these efforts, we are partnering with the NJTPA to roll out the Street Smart NJ program on all Rutgers campuses through our community policing units. This program will foster safer driver and pedestrian behaviors, increasing the wellbeing of the university community at large.”

Street Smart NJ is a collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations and one of many initiatives in New Jersey working to help the state reach its goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. During the campaign, RUPD will be enforcing pedestrian-related laws and working with partners like KMM to distribute safety materials. The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer. Drivers need to obey speed limits and stop for people crossing; people walking need to use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals; and everyone needs to avoid distractions.

“The NJTPA’s Street Smart NJ program is an effective method of communicating safety messages,” said Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, who serves as First Vice Chair of the NJTPA’s Board of Trustees. “In Middlesex County we are dedicated to our Vision Zero program, working hard to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. It takes a whole community to prevent traffic fatalities, I am proud to support this implementation at Rutgers University for the spring semester.”

Pedestrian safety is a concern nationwide, but it is particularly important in New Jersey, where the fatality rate far exceeds the national average. Pedestrians comprised 26.7 percent (183 people) of the 685 people killed in crashes in New Jersey in 2022, while the national average was 18 percent, according to the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Pedestrian safety is a top priority for Keep Middlesex Moving,” said Brian N. Tobin, Executive Director of KMM. “We are proud to collaborate with Rutgers University and NJTPA to ensure safe travel for all road users—whether walking, biking, or driving. Through the Street Smart
NJ public education campaign, we aim to foster a culture of safety and shared responsibility, raising awareness about the importance of keeping everyone safe in and around the Rutgers University campus.”

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping to promote the Rutgers-New Brunswick Street Smart NJ campaign, should contact Arlene Holt, KMM’s Operations Director at 732-745-4465 x102 or aholt@kmm.org. To learn more about the campaign, visit bestreetsmartnj.org. The campaign is also on Facebook (/StreetSmartNJ) and X (@njstreetsmart). To learn more about Keep Middlesex Moving, visit www.kmm.org.

Be Street Smart Campaign

 

A Close Call Close to Work ~ Part 1

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They say your life passes before your eyes just before you die.  I don’t know if that’s true but a close call on May 27 made me realize I‘m not eager to find out.

Walking back from lunch, I stopped at a 3 way intersection about a block from KMM.  There are 3 stop signs and a speed limit of 25 MPH.  Signage reminds drivers to stop for pedestrians who are crossing the one way street.  On this bright, sunny day, there were no vehicles in the intersection and none approaching. I looked left then right, and feeling it was  safe, I stepped off of the curb and began to cross.

Suddenly, from the corner of my eye, I noticed a SUV barreling toward me.  Speeding closer and closer, the vehicle showed no signs of slowing down let alone stopping.  It was going to hit me. With seconds to spare, I rushed back to the sidewalk. I focused my eyes on the driver, a well-dressed 60-ish man.  A woman was in the passenger seat.  The couple appeared to be arguing and looking at each other, not the street.

In the panic stricken moments that followed, I realized I was lucky to be alive, but was too stunned to scream, “you almost killed me!”  Bill Neary, my colleague, witnessed the incident, and did the yelling for me. But, it didn’t matter.  The SUV was long gone and the driver totally unaware of the near miss.

Back in my office, I sat silently, taking deep breaths, and replaying the entire incident in my mind.  I asked myself, “how did this happen?”

As a transportation specialist involved with traffic safety issues, I mentally reviewed the 3 Es of traffic management — Engineering, Enforcement and Education.  The engineering and enforcement aspects including road design, pavement markings, speed limit and stop signs to control traffic were all present.  The missing element was education.

Anyone who sits behind the wheel must respect the rules of the road and understand the risks and dangers of driving.  Drivers must stay ALERT and pay attention to roadway conditions, speed limits and traffic signs. A driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who is experiencing rage, anger, or other distractions should not drive until he or she is back to normal, especially in a downtown setting with many pedestrians walking around during the lunch hour.

This incident made me I realize that I am not only responsible for my own behavior and safety but, I must also be mindful of the improper driving behaviors of others. It reminded me that life is so unpredictable and that we should never take it for granted.  You never know if you can go back home.pedSlide1

Share the Road

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share_the_roadOur roads are intended to be shared by cyclists, motorist and pedestrians too!  And yet, we may not be aware of “the rules” of sharing the road.  KMM has put together a helpful list of the most important tips we should all review before we get behind handlebars or a wheel.

Communicate your intentions

Cyclists, use hand signals consistently.  Motorists, use turn signals in advance of turning to let everyone know your intentions.

Everybody Follows the Same Rules

Cyclists are safer when riding in the same direction as motorists and follow all the same rules as motorists.  Motorists come to a full stop when at a stop sign and do not speed through a yellow light to avoid the wait at a red light.

The Road Looks Different

Cyclists, scan the road ahead to have enough time to signal if you need to move out of the way.  Motorists, sewer grates, broken glass, gravel and puddles are all hazards to cyclists.  Always leave a three-foot buffer in the event a cyclist needs to move out of their lane.

Everybody Wins With Courtesy

Cyclists, the more courtesy you are with motorists, the more courtesy drivers will be.  Motorists, giving cyclists extra respect and consideration creates a safer environment for everyone.

Horns

Cyclists, NJ law requires all bikes be equipped with a horn or bell so that your presence is greatly increased.  Motorists, although the horn is used as a safety tool, it can be dangerous if used in extreme proximity to a cyclist.  A light tap on the horn is sufficient.

Managing Electronic Devices

Both cyclists and motorist, leave the cell phones, iPods and blackberry in your bags and not in your hands as you are driving or riding.  By doing so, you are keeping everyone safe.

And don’t forget, pedestrians have rights too!  Both cyclists and motorists are required by law to yield for pedestrians in crosswalks.  While pedestrians have the responsibility to be visible and predictable when using a crosswalk, cyclists and motorists can observe each others actions when approaching a crosswalk to anticipate a pedestrian using a crosswalk.

For more information, visit www.kmm.org for all your transportation needs.

 

Photo credit: www.thinkbicycles.org

New Brunswick Ciclovia is Coming!

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Ciclovia7.12 eventKMM is getting ready for the next New Brunswick Ciclovia, coming on Saturday July 12th!

Ciclovia is an open streets event that encourages New Brunswick residents and visitors of all ages to get physically active through biking, walking, skating, and programmed activities on closed city streets. KMM is partnering with Safe Kids Middlesex County to bring mini bike skills course to Remsen Avenue.

The July 12th event features an all-new route that connects New Brunswick’s downtown and residential neighborhoods with the Cook/Douglas campus of Rutgers University.  Plan ahead and check out the Cicolovia map!

To learn more about the program, be sure to visit the New Brunswick Ciclovia’s website.

Share the Road, Save a Life!

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share-the-road1The warm weather has finally arrived and that means more people are leaving their cars behind and opting for pedal power to get to their destinations. Not only is this a fun way to explore the sights and sounds of the GardenState, but it also incorporates physical fitness into your day. And for many NJ residents, bicycling is the only form of transportation to get to and from work.

If you’re an avid bike rider, you’re probably aware of the rules of the road, but if you’re not very experienced, or just prefer to drive in the comfort of your car at all times, it’s important to remember that the road belongs to both bicyclists and automobiles. We need to practice mutual respect and follow all state and local traffic laws in order to reach our destinations safely.

New Jersey’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations laws recognizes bicycles as a vehicle and grants bicyclists all the same rights and responsibilities as any other automobile traveling along our state’s roadways. This means, that bicycles are permitted on all roadways, unless expressly stated otherwise, and must follow the same traffic rules and patterns as motor vehicles.

According to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, there are an average of 173 reported bicycle accidents in MiddlesexCounty every year. In 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission reported 12 fatalities related to bicycle accidents throughout the state.

So what can we do to prevent bicycling accidents and fatalities? Bikeleague.org offers these common sense tips to bicyclists and motorists:

 

Bicyclists:

Obey all vehicle traffic laws, lights and signs

Use hand signals to signify stops and turns to other vehicles

Stay to the right of the road and always ride in the same direction as traffic

Wear bright colored/reflective clothing and a proper fitting helmet

Use front and rear lights when riding at dawn and dusk

Make eye contact with the driver of other vehicles and proceed with caution.

 

Motorists:

Reduce speed when approaching bicyclists

Do not tailgate or follow too closely; Give the bicyclist space

Yield to bicyclists and give them the right of way, do not try to beat them to the intersection.

When passing, leave four feet between you and the bike rider

Do not blast your horn next to a bicyclist, as this may startle the rider and cause them to lose control.

Make eye contact with the bicyclist and proceed with caution.

Remember the road belongs to everyone. Following these simple rules will ensure we all have a safe and happy trip.