'Street Smart' Traffic Safety Campaign Launches in Hackettstown

Hackettstown is one of five communities participating in a new statewide pedestrian safety education campaign pilot program designed to reduce pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes in New Jersey, according to Hackettstown Police Sgt. Darren Tynan. 

The Be Street Smart NJ campaign is a collaborative effort between public, private and nonprofit organizations to teach pedestrians and motorists about making safety a top priority whether walking or driving.  The campaign urges pedestrians and motorists to Check Your Vital Signs to improve safety on the road.  The vital signs for motorists are obey posted speed limits and stop for pedestrians in crosswalks (as required by New Jersey law).  Pedestrians’ vital signs are use 
crosswalks and wait for the walk signal. 

“This is a special day for Hackettstown and I am pleased that we are here to kick 
off the State-wide Pedestrian Safety Education Program," said Mayor Maria DiGiovanni. "Through this program we’re urging both motorist and pedestrians alike to 'Be Street Safe,' as safety is everyone’s responsibility."

The pilot communities, which were chosen for their geographic and demographic diversity, are Newark, Jersey City, Hackettstown, Woodbridge, and Long Beach Island.  The campaign partners gathered in Newark last Friday to kick off the month-long pilot.

New Jersey is 14th in the nation in pedestrian fatalities—23 percent of all traffic deaths in the state are pedestrians, double the national average. Between 2009 and 2011, 402 pedestrians were killed and more than 13,000 injured statewide.  That translates to one death every 2.5 days and 14 injuries daily. The Federal Highway Administration has designated New Jersey a “focus” state and is providing funding for the campaign.  

During the same time period in Hackettstown, 26 pedestrians were struck by motor vehicles resulting in one death and 25 injuries, police said.

“We are working to educate the community so they know the steps they can take to ensure their own safety, and the consequences for violating the law,” said Sgt. Tynan. “The endgame is to prevent crashes and save lives. The Hackettstown engineer, the Hackettstown Department of Public Works, the Warren County Road Department and the NJ State Road Department have
worked diligently to make streets and intersections safer, but motorists and residents must be street smart."

Throughout November, Hackettstown and its partners, which include Mars 
Chocolate North America, Centenary College, Hackettstown Business Improvement District, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Warren County Prosecutor's Office, Hackettstown School District, TransOptions, Warren County Planning, Hackettstown Rescue Squad, Hackettstown Fire Department, House of the Good Shepherd, Warren County Chamber of Commerce, WRNJ Radio, NJ Transit, faith-based organizations and nonprofits are using their outreach channels to promote this message to pedestrians and motorists.  Transit advertising, billboards, street banners, window clings, posters, educational handouts, email blasts, and more are helping to get the word out. 

Additionally, the bestreetsmartnj.org website is providing pedestrian safety information to the public and community partners in Hackettstown and statewide. The campaign also is on Facebook and Twitter. 

In addition to education, targeted enforcement will take place at key hot spots in Hackettstown. 

“The enforcement component will focus on New Jersey’s stop for pedestrians in crosswalks law, as well as making sure that pedestrians use crosswalks and don’t jaywalk,” Tynan said. “Officers also will address speeding, illegal turns and distracted driving, which often contribute to pedestrian-related crashes. We need the support of all Hackettstown residents, visitors and employees to prevent crashes on our roadways.”

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping to promote the Be Street Smart message in Hackettstown, should contact Sgt. Tynan at 908-852-3302 or hpd34@hackettstownpd.net.