Drop In Crashes Reported After South Brunswick PD’s Summer Traffic Crackdown

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick's Operation Safe Summer traffic safety initiative led to a 6.3 percent reduction in crashes compared to last summer, according to the South Brunswick Police Department.

From late May through August, officers conducted 911 traffic enforcement details, resulting in more than 4,086 motor vehicle stops and 2,650 summonses issued.

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The campaign combined department-wide traffic enforcement with targeted details focused on locations and violations identified through crash data and community complaints.

"While the number of traffic stops and summonses demonstrates the tremendous effort by our officers, the number that matters most to us is the 6.30 percent reduction in crashes," Acting Chief James Ryan said. "Every crash we prevent means fewer injuries, less property damage, and, most importantly, safer roads for our residents and everyone traveling through South Brunswick."

Operation Safe Summer was built around three components: awareness, enforcement and engineering. The department's public awareness campaign generated hundreds of thousands of views and drew coverage from multiple media outlets, according to police. The department's Instagram campaign alone generated more than 63,000 views of enforcement efforts.

"Our goal was never simply to write tickets," Ryan said. "We wanted to change driving behavior. By combining enforcement with public awareness and engineering improvements, we believe we can have a lasting impact on traffic safety."

As part of the initiative, the department worked with the New Jersey Department of Transportation to identify roadway and traffic-control improvements at several intersections along Route 1, including at New Road, Ridge Road, Henderson Road and Blackhorse Lane.

At Route 1 and New Road, additional signage and roadway striping will be installed, and NJDOT will review the off-ramp median for potential improvements. At Route 1 and Ridge Road, additional signage and striping are also planned, along with long-term ramp alignment changes anticipated as part of the Ridge Road warehouse project.

At Route 1 and Henderson Road, the department is looking at steps to reduce vehicle queuing on the Royal Oaks side of the intersection, while improvements at Route 1 and Blackhorse Lane are aimed at improving traffic flow. A separate future project would add a dedicated left-turn lane at Beekman Road and Route 1 South.

Ryan credited the community for helping the initiative succeed.

"We want to thank the residents, business owners, commuters, and community members who supported this initiative and shared their concerns with us," Ryan said. "Your calls, complaints, observations, and willingness to talk with our officers helped us identify problem areas and dangerous driving behaviors. Traffic safety is something we all have a role in, and our community helped make this effort a success."

Although Operation Safe Summer's initial summer campaign has concluded, police said traffic enforcement will continue throughout the year, guided by crash data, traffic complaints and enforcement activity.

"Traffic safety remains one of our highest priorities," Ryan said. "We will continue to put our officers where they can make the greatest difference, while working with our transportation partners to address roadway issues."

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