Speed Limit Reduced In Hoboken To 20 MPH

HOBOKEN, NJ — Slow down! Mile-square Hoboken may be between the Holland and Lincoln tunnels, but it's got more than 100 intersections — and a population of more than 60,000 people crossing them. The city announced Thursday morning that the speed limit is now reduced from 25 miles per hour to 20.

The City Council took a final 8-0 vote at its meeting Wednesday night to adopt an ordinance for the reduction, which was signed into law by Mayor Ravi Bhalla.

The law aims to provide safer streets for all users and modes of transportation, the city said.

Over the next several weeks, the city will install speed radar signs at gateways to Hoboken, new 20 MPH speed limit signs with supplemental plaque signs, and 20 MPH pavement markings at select
locations.

The reduced speed limit is part of the city's Vision Zero Action Plan, which aims to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and injuries by 2030.

Hoboken has not had a pedestrian death due to a motor vehicle crash in four years, a statistic recently cited by a number of national and regional news outlets like Curbed, which also cited various Vision Zero initiatives that make it easier for drivers and pedestrians to see each other.

While there have still been pedestrian crashes at intersections, including recently, there have been no fatalities in the last few years.

Studies show that a pedestrian's chances of suffering a severe injury or death increases from approximately 25 percent when struck by a vehicle traveling at 20 MPH to over 50 percent when struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 MPH, the city said.

The implementation of a 20 MPH speed limit will include several supplemental initiatives to help educate drivers and improve compliance rates, the city said.

“Reducing the citywide speed limit is the latest commitment we are making to ensure our streets are safer for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists,” said Bhalla. “Even though it might take an extra minute or two to travel across Hoboken in a vehicle, that extra time could very well end up saving the life of a child or senior citizen."

He added, "As a father of two children who walk our streets every day, the tradeoff is certainly worth it and is the latest effort we’re making to eliminate all traffic-related injuries by 2030. Thank you to the county for partnering with us on this life-saving initiative.”

"Driving slower isn’t always easier to do—but it is the smarter and safer thing to do,” said Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise.

"If this ordinance saves just one life or prevents one serious injury, then it is well worth it in my book," said Council President Michael Russo.

"I have had the privilege of serving on the Hoboken Vision Zero Task Force since it was founded three years ago, and the 20 MPH speed limit reduction has been a top priority since the Vision Zero Action Plan was finalized,” said Council Vice President Emily Jabbour. “Pedestrian safety is paramount for a mile square city where residents of all ages should feel safe walking to school each day, commuting to work, or enjoying a bike ride."

Jabbour added, "I am grateful for the leadership of Transportation Director Ryan Sharp and City Engineer Olga Garcia who worked with numerous stakeholders to make this possible, and I'm especially grateful to Hudson County for their support."

Hoboken has a number of county roads through town.

“We are glad to work with the transportation subcommittee on adopting this ordinance, and look forward to appropriate enforcement from law enforcement to ensure lower speeds and make this change a benefit for our residents,” said 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos.

Enforcement Campaign Coming

Speed is identified as a major factor in the severity of automobile crashes, according to the Vision Zero Action Plan, adopted by the Hoboken City Council in 2021.

In partnership with the Hoboken Police Department and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, the City will also launch an education and enforcement campaign to inform drivers of the reduced speed limit.

Crosswalks, Islands, And Measures To 'Calm' Traffic

Bhalla established the city's Vision Zero initiative and launched the Vision Zero Task Force by executive order in 2019.

Since then, the city has prioritized the installation of Vision Zero infrastructure upgrades, including 45 painted or concrete curb extensions, 461 high visibility crosswalks, two pedestrian refuge islands with rapid flashing beacons, two raised intersections, and traffic calming measures such as six chicanes along Sinatra Drive.

Since the implementation of Vision Zero, Hoboken city streets have not had a traffic-related death, despite regional and national trends toward significant increases in severe traffic injuries and deaths.

Traffic fatalities reached a 16-year high nationally in 2021, increasing in almost every state, including New Jersey. READ MORE: Traffic Deaths In NJ Were Up In 2021, New Estimates Show

For more information of the City's Vision Zero initiative, go to www.vzhoboken.com.