Two South Jersey Highways Top List of State's Most Dangerous

For the fifth year in a row, Route 130 has been named the most dangerous road in New Jersey by the non-profit Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

Route 30 in Camden County and Route 9, in Middlesex County, tied for second. Route 30 in Atlantic County and Route 36 in Monmouth County were tied for fourth.

Route 130 saw with nine pedestrian deaths between 2011 and 2013, according to the report. Route 30 and Route 9 each saw eight pedestrian casualties over the same period of time. Route 30 in Atlantic County and Route 36 in Monmouth County each had six.

Other South Jersey highways on the list included Route 47 in Cumberland County and Route 37 in Ocean County, which saw five deaths.

These deaths came in spite of efforts by state leaders to make the road safer, including increased enforcement of violations through the Operation 130 Safe Passage program.

Route 130 has been consistently named the most dangerous highway in the state since 2011.

“What Route 130 needs is continuous sidewalks, median islands and crosswalks,” Matthew Norris, the Campaign’s South Jersey Coordinator, said. “Given the lack of this infrastructure, it is no surprise that Route 130 continues to top the list.”

Cinnaminson has taken steps to ensure more sidewalks along Route 130.

Municipal code now requires businesses along Route 130 to install sidewalks when they go before the Planning Board to make changes, according to the Courier Post.

The federal government has taken a particular interest in the epidemic.

“New Jersey was identified as a Pedestrian Focus state by the federal government, an unfortunate label. In addition to infrastructure improvements, New Jersey must enact legislation to protect its most vulnerable road users,” Janna Chernetz, Senior NJ Policy Analyst for the Campaign, said. “A safe passing bill, which would require motorists to give room when passing a pedestrian, cyclist or other road user, has passed in the NJ Assembly but is currently being held up in the Senate Transportation Committee. New Jersey is losing valuable protections and educational tools by putting off the enactment of much needed legislation.”