Not-So-Safe Burlington County Drivers, Pedestrians Focus Of New Grant

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Of the 41 traffic-related deaths that occurred on Burlington County roads in 2021, seven of them occurred along U.S. 130, according to data from the New Jersey State Police.

“Every fatality is a tragedy, and it reinforces how important it is for law enforcement to help educate motorists and pedestrians about their shared responsibilities on our roads,” Burlington County Undersheriff James Kostoplis said in a press release.

Somewhat to that end, the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department is spreading the word it recently received nearly $200,000 in grant funding to step up its enforcement of those not-so-safe drivers and pedestrians on that particular highway and other Burlington County roads.

“Receiving these competitive grants will allow us to continue our department’s life-saving traffic programs,” Burlington County Sheriff Anthony Basantis said in the press release. “Each one has a proven record of success in making our county a safer place for residents and visitors.”

The press release stated that:

• About $75,000 of the grant money will support a program that includes cooperative traffic enforcement proactive traffic enforcement operations in multiple jurisdictions along U.S. Route 130.
• Another $25,000 will be used “for proactive enforcement and education details in the Burlington City School Zone, an area of Route 130 through the city near Burlington City High School and the Wilbur Watts Intermediate School."
• Another $30,000 is earmarked for a program that “uses plainclothes officers in crosswalks to ensure motorists are complying with pedestrian crossing roads.”
• Another $28,000 will allow defensive driving classes, crossing guard training, bicycle safety and pedestrian safety education classes to continue.
• The remaining $36,000 will support the program that conducts free child safety seat inspections every Wednesday at the Burlington County Administration Building.

“Traffic safety is everyone’s responsibility, and the Sheriff’s Department will continue to work with local police departments to help improve public awareness and enforcement on Route 130 and other parts of the county,” Kostoplis said in the release. “By working together, we can help make sure our roads are safe for everyone to use.”

The New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety provided the grant funding, according to the press release.

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