Lower Speed Limits Coming to Bergen County? How 9 Mayors Are Teaming Up to Curb Deer Collisions

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:

• Deer Collisions: Reducing speeds gives drivers a crucial extra second to react to wildlife.

• 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:

• Oakland & Franklin Lakes

• Allendale & Ho-Ho-Kus

• Midland Park & Waldwick

• Ridgewood & Ramsey

• 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/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories

• Tags: #BergenCounty #Saddle River #PublicSafety #NJTraffic #LocalGovernment #DeerSafety