Princeton Heightens Traffic Safety Focus After 2 Pedestrians Hit, Killed By Cars In 2025

PRINCETON, NJ — The police department is working to improve traffic safety in Princeton by reducing pedestrian fatalities and offering ride-share assistance to avoid drunk driving.

Police Chief Matthew Solovay gave his monthly presentation to the Princeton Council at the Jan. 27 meeting.

In 2025, there were two fatal motor vehicle collisions, both involving pedestrians.

"We keep that in mind when we are trying to solve some of the traffic safety issues in the future," said Solovay.

Solovay noted that the police department has a dedicated traffic safety bureau that is now supervised by Sgt. Don Matthews.

Councilman David Cohen expressed his "appreciation for the renewed and heightened focus on traffic safety and neighborhood policing."

"We have more deaths that are traffic-related than from any other cause. To the extent that a human life is sort of infinitely valuable," said Cohen.

Additionally, Solovay reported that the police department received several generous donations from community members that allowed them to restart the "Let Princeton PD Provide Your DD" program.

The program had been suspended in November 2025 after exhausting all available funding.

"Thanks to this support, we’re officially able to relaunch the program, and we did it just in time for New Year's Eve. We are already seeing residents take advantage of this valuable public safety service," said Solovay.

Solovay thanked the community and Council, who actively advocated to get the program going again.

"This program is a great example of the community, elected leadership, and the police department working together toward a shared goal of public safety," said Solovay. "We will continue to try to identify sustainable funding opportunities for this program as we go into the future."

• Previous Reporting: Program To Combat Drunk Driving Suspended In Princeton After Funding Exhausted

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