Garwood To Conduct Pedestrian Safety Education Campaign

GARWOOD, NJ — In April and May, Garwood will be conducting a Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety education campaign aimed at changing unsafe behavior and reducing pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes at the intersection of South Avenue and Center Street.

"Public safety is a top priority for the Borough of Garwood," Mayor Sara Todisco said. "The Street Smart NJ campaign will help to educate drivers and pedestrians alike about the safe use of our roadways and is part of the broader set of initiatives to make our community safer."

The Borough will kick off the campaign on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Speakers will include Todisco, Police Chief James Wright, Union County Commissioner Lourdes Leon, Schools Superintendent Dr. Teresa Quigley, and Deputy Director Lisa Lee of EZ Ride.

This campaign is part of Todisco's 2021 goals of making public safety her priority for the year after two borough residents were killed in pedestrian-vehicle crashes in 2020.

On Dec. 2, 2020, Catherine Flint, 81, from Garwood was fatally hit by a car while crossing the street. On Jan. 30, 2020, Nedra I. Clark, 65, from Garwood also died from her injuries she got when she was hit by a car while walking in a crosswalk.

There were also 13 motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and seven crashes involving bicycles in Garwood from 2015 to 2019.

This issue is a state-wide issue with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reporting on average, one pedestrian is killed every two days in New Jersey and 12 are injured daily.

New Jersey ranked 18th in the nation in pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 people in 2018, and pedestrians comprised 32 percent (176 people) of the 558 people killed in vehicle crashes in New Jersey in 2019, nearly double the national average of 17 percent, according to the NHTSA.

Street Smart NJ, initiated and managed by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) in 2013, is a statewide, collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations.

The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer. Drivers must obey speed limits and stop for people crossing; people walking or biking must use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals; and everyone must avoid
distractions.

Street Smart NJ is one of many initiatives working to reach zero pedestrian fatalities.

EZ Ride, the Transportation Management Association that serves Union County, will manage the
local campaign and will work with the Borough, school, and community partners to educate and
distribute safety information. Large educational signs will be displayed at the intersection and
around Garwood and local police will be enforcing pedestrian laws as part of the campaign.

"Garwood has committed to making pedestrian safety a priority, and this campaign will help raise awareness about the common-sense steps we can all take to make our roads safer for everyone," Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski said.

"Drivers must avoid distractions, stop for people crossing and slow down for safety. Pedestrians should use crosswalks or cross at intersections and wait for the walk signal or green light before stepping into the road," said Commissioner Kowalski, who represents the county on the NJTPA Board of Trustees. "These simple actions will save lives."

Anyone interested in helping to promote the Street Smart NJ message in Garwood, should contact
Lisa Lee at 201-939-4242 ext. 123 or LLee@ezride.org. Learn more at bestreetsmartnj.org. The
campaign is also on Facebook and Twitter (@njstreetsmart).

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.