OCTOBER 6, 2015, 11:10 PM LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2015, 6:54 AM
BY JOHN CICHOWSKI
RECORD COLUMNIST |
THE RECORD
After 45 pedestrian deaths in two years, the Bergen County sheriff, prosecutor and dozens of other public officials gathered in Hackensack on Tuesday to put walkers as well as drivers on notice:
Starting this month, whether on foot or behind the wheel, obey pedestrian laws or expect a ticket.
“I’m asking all police departments to issue summonses even for jaywalking,” Sheriff Michael Saudino announced to a crowd at a news conference on the steps of the county Justice Complex.
The reason: “A week doesn’t go by that I don’t get a phone call about a citizen being struck and killed in our county,” added Prosecutor John Molinelli.
Death counts explain much of this rationale:
A total of 21 lives were lost while crossing county thoroughfares in 2013 (more than double the 2012 count of 9) and 24 more deaths were added in 2014 — the most in at least 16 years, according to state police records. The percentage increases accounted for a higher rate of carnage than the statewide pedestrian death toll, which reached 170 last year, the most since the 2002 count of 176.
“We have to do better,” Saudino said in an interview. “Drivers and pedestrians both need to be better educated, and our engineers have to look closely at some of our roadways to make them safer.”
For two weeks starting now, motorists will begin seeing “Focus here” billboards that picture a family at a crosswalk alongside a photo of a phone that accompanies this slogan — “Not here.”
Maybe the village policeman learn something from this as we also have a lot of J-walkers including police officers.
As I walked to the train station this morning, I looked at the drivers in the oncoming cars. I’d have to say that about 1 in 3 were eating their breakfast, using their hand-held cellphone, or not wearing a seat belt. Some of these were even doing a couple of these things. Yes, I know some pedestrians can engage in Darwinesque behaviors, but they have no-one to blame but themselves if they get hit. The drivers I saw, however, know that their actions are illegal, and are simply playing the odds game in not getting caught. No amount of education for these numb skulls will likely make any difference.
btw there was a speed trap this morning on Linwood Ave in Washington Twp
Right 11:14 then you cry that your a Ridgewood Resident and a tax payer. Then come on this bog a curse them .
I have a dread of being killed by a driver-kid texting.
PLEASE patrol the intersection of Ridgewood Ave and Irving. Especially from about 6-7:15 when the 163P is letting off. It is starting to get dark in the evening and no one even slows at that intersection. A few tickets should help alert folks that there is a cross walk there.
I don’t know if the Chief reads this blog ( He should) so hear his e mail. Maybe your should e mail him with your concerns
Chief John Ward
jward@ridgewoodnj.net
I agree with Brian. The Village can also do its part by repainting the crosswalk at that interesction – it is very faded.
I’d like to hear if ANY jaywalking tickets actually get issued.