Tread Lightly: Seniors Get Safe Walking Seminar

About 60 Hopatcong senior citizens got a lesson in safe walking Thursday morning at the St. Jude's Parish recreation center.

Seniors Inc., a group of borough seniors, listened as TransOptions representative Judy Bortman ran through a Powerpoint presentation detailing the ways pedestrians can stay safe on the roads.

Jo Ann Langowski found the presentation helpful.

"She did really well, and I think she learned a little bit from the seniors who had something to say," Langowski said. "Carrying ID at all times, and keeping medication on you. That's important for everyone. Not only seniors."

Bortman hit on a number of topics, dotting her speech with numbers from the state's Highway Traffic Safety division. Bortman said while the number of New Jersey traffic accidents declined in 2009 from 2008, the amount of pedestrian fatalities rose slightly. Also, the number of pedestrian traffic injuries increased from 2008 to 2009.

"The message today is that by following safe walking tips, pedestrians can be safer when they're out walking," Bortman said. "We're working with the [state] to keep those numbers down.

"And the other thing that's a big issue is distracted driving. There's an increase in people breaking the law by talking on cell phones when they're driving and that's another reason why pedestrians should be, in a sense, defensive and alert. They need to be safer."

Joan Major, a Seniors Inc. member, thinks Hopatcong residents need to take more caution on the roads.

"I still see people walking on the wrong side of the street when I'm driving," she said.

Bortman also believed most people still weren't aware of an April 1 law that states drivers must stop at crosswalks until it's clear of pedestrians, otherwise they could incur a $200 fine and have their licenses take a two-point hit. The same, though, goes for pedestrians. They must cross only at crosswalks or risk a $54 fine.

"We're just working to get the word out to communities about being safe while walking on the streets," Bortman said.

She also handed out a flier with safe walking tips:

• Keep alert
• Walk on the sidewalk
• Cross only at street corners
• Wear bright clothing
• Avoid bad weather
• Look both ways
• Make eye contact with the driver
• Watch street signals and lights
• Walk and cross with others
• Wear proper footwear