Regional Power Move: 9 Northwest Bergen Mayors Push for Safer, Slower Roads
photo courtesy of Saddle River Mayor Al Kurpis
the staff of the ridgewood blog
Saddle River NJ, In a significant show of regional unity, leaders across Northwest Bergen County are moving forward with a plan to make local travel safer for drivers, pedestrians, and wildlife alike.
On Saturday, March 14th, Saddle River Mayor Al Kurpis joined Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III and the mayors of eight neighboring municipalities to tackle the most pressing issues facing their communities.
A Nighttime Speed Limit Cut for Saddle River
The headline takeaway from this summit? A unified proposal to lower the nighttime speed limit on Saddle River’s county roads by 10 mph.
While the leafy, scenic routes of Northwest Bergen are a draw for residents, they pose significant risks after dark. Many of these county roads are unlit, leading to a high frequency of:
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Deer Collisions: Reducing speeds gives drivers a crucial extra second to react to wildlife.
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Pedestrian Accidents: Slower speeds significantly decrease the severity of accidents on darker roadways.
The Power of the “Northwest Nine”
This isn’t just a Saddle River initiative. A coalition of nine municipalities has pledged to work together to advocate for this safety measure. The mayors representing these towns include:
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Oakland & Franklin Lakes
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Allendale & Ho-Ho-Kus
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Midland Park & Waldwick
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Ridgewood & Ramsey
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Saddle River
What Happens Next?
While County Executive Tedesco has signaled his public support, the change isn’t official yet. The proposal now moves to the Bergen County Board of Commissioners.
The coalition of mayors will now shift their focus to an educational campaign, demonstrating to the Commissioners how a modest 10 mph reduction at night can yield massive public safety benefits without significantly impacting commute times.
“Regional cooperation is essential to keeping our communities safe,” noted Mayor Kurpis. “I appreciate County Executive Tedesco’s willingness to listen and work with local leaders on this important public safety initiative.”
Community Impact
For residents of these nine towns, this represents a proactive approach to “home rule” and regional safety. By addressing the specific dangers of unlit county corridors, local leaders are prioritizing lives over a few saved seconds in transit.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
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more big nanny government
they tried and failed with the nationwide 55mph years ago
leave us alone and stop wasting tax money and lower property taxes
In theory, sounds like a good idea but how would this be operationalized and enforced. Today people are driving over 40 mph on Linwood, maple, Paramus and Franklin . Just saying….
Ridgewood gets on board with this, but not on housing?
Soft
If they build the housing, there will be so many cars that nobody will be able to drive fast anyway………………….
what a diverse bunch
Grecian formula club
Common Sense is in such short supply we need to be educated about driving slow at night.
Ridgewood Mayor Paul Vagianos is clearing Schedler Park—a historic 7-acre wildlife habitat along Route 17 North—displacing animals, while also raising concerns about speed limits meant to protect the very wildlife being pushed out into oncoming traffic.
Oh, that’s rich—cut down the animals’ homes by day, then slow traffic at night so we don’t hit the ones you displaced. Truly a full-service wildlife disruption plan.
Another stealth tax increase. See the magical inverse relationship that lower speed limits and higher moving violations revenue have.
This will accomplish nothing. Speed limits not followed and not enforced as it is.