On September 18, New Jersey Governor Corzine announced a five-year, $74 million initiative comprised of a three-pronged approach (engineering, education and enforcement) to improve pedestrian safety. Agencies involved include the New Jersey Department of Transportation, The Department of Law and Public Safety and the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Read more at:
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov
According to the NJ division of Highway traffic Safety, the proportion of pedestrian fatalities in New Jersey is 21%, which is well above the national average. In the Summer of 2007, there will be a Regional Education and Awareness effort for the Jersey Shore Communities for pedestrian safety. Agencies will be contacted for participation.
VTC (Voorhees Transportation Center) has been awarded two large grants by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, provide $442,476 to continue the NJ Bicycle and Pedestrian Resource Center for a sixth year, and $326,970 for VTC to help NJDOT manage the Safe Routes to School program.
Many NJ towns are working to improve conditions for walkers and cyclists in 2007:
"PLUMSTED - Township and school board officials are working together through a federally funded program to construct sidewalks, improve existing ones and continue to promote the benefits of exercise for people living within a two-mile radius of local schools, the mayor said Monday." See the entire article at
http://www.zwire.com
"HUDSON - Workers move the Hudson Place taxi stand to the northern side of the street toaccommodatee two way traffic by the PATH station. As part of a pedestrian safety campaign, Mayor David Roberts secured a traffic light at Hudson Place and Hudson Street, one of the city's most busyintersectionss, as part of the ongoing "Safe Paths" program that also includes news stop signs, speed humps and yield to pedestrian signs throughout the city."
http://www.hobokennj.org
"North Plainfield - Mayor Janice G. Allen is feeling very uneasy because there were four motor vehicle versus pedestrian crashes in North Plainfield so far this year. She has asked Chief William Parenti to do a cause analysis on each crash to determine if there are preventative measures the Borough can embark upon,
In an effort to reduce or prevent the likelihood of this trend continuing Mayor Allen pledged that the governing body will assist in whatever capacity necessary. “While I am proud of our efforts in curtailing crime, we also must do all we can to help protect our citizens from the hazards of motor vehicle crashes and in particular pedestrian safety,” veiw entire article at:
http://www.northplainfield.org
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