RideWise releases Street Smart Raritan report

Raritan, N.J. – The Borough of Raritan announces the conclusion of the Street Smart pedestrian safety campaign conducted by the Raritan Police Department with assistance from RideWise – the Bridgewater-based nonprofit transportation advocacy organization – and community businesses.

The campaign was initiated last summer, and included 119 hours of pedestrian safety enforcement by the police, who issued 193 warnings and 50 summonses, according to the report. To encourage compliant behavior, police handed out gift cards provided by local businesses to pedestrians who used crosswalks. The Raritan Borough Police department received funding for enforcement and outreach through a grant from the Somerset County Regional Center Partnership.

The pre and post campaign observations conducted by RideWise showed a 69 percent decrease in the number of turning drivers who did not stop for pedestrians at Somerset Street and Loomis Street, and a 27 percent increase in the number of pedestrians who used the crosswalk at Somerset Street and Anderson Street.

Raritan was selected for the campaign based on crash data. Between 2006 and 2016, Raritan saw 74 incidents involving vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists, according to Numetric, the crash analysis tool from Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).

Street Smart is a statewide initiative to promote safe travel behavior through education and enforcement of pedestrian and motor vehicle laws. The campaign was developed in response to New Jersey ranking sixth in the U.S. in pedestrian fatalities at a rate of 24 percent. This is nearly double the national average of 14 percent.

“We would like to thank Raritan Borough, local businesses, and the residents who helped to make this program a success,” Detective Christopher Wren of the Raritan Borough Police Department said. “The Raritan Borough Police Department is committed to enhancing motorist and pedestrian safety and greatly appreciates the positive feedback as a result of the Pedestrian Safety Campaign.”

The final report for Street Smart Raritan is available online at RideWise’s website – www.ridewise.org.

###

RideWise Inc. is an independent non-profit organization that promotes efficient and sustainable travel options like public transit, ridesharing, biking and walking. The agency partners with businesses, municipalities, schools, communities and nonprofit agencies throughout Somerset County to address a variety of mobility issues. RideWise assists municipalities and police departments with conducting Street Smart campaigns by providing technical assistance, education and community outreach. Learn more at www.ridewise.org.