Mayor Henri Schepens has announced that Milford Borough will be the latest Hunterdon County community to conduct a Street Smart NJ pedestrian safety education campaign aimed at reducing pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes. Street Smart NJ is a collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations.
Milford Borough will work with goHunterdon to educate people who are driving and walking. Special emphasis will be on speeding and the use of crosswalks.
“Milford is a walkable community,” says Mayor Schepens. “Our children walk to school and residents walk to the post office and shops for local errands. Visitors enjoy strolling through our quaint town to visit our local businesses. We have teamed up with goHunterdon to educate both pedestrians and motorists to make them aware of their roles in ensuring everyone’s safety.”
Street Smart NJ is one of many initiatives in New Jersey working to help the state reach its goal of zero pedestrian fatalities. The campaign reminds people that everyone has a role to play in making our streets safer. Drivers need to obey speed limits and stop for people crossing; people walking need to use crosswalks (marked and unmarked) and cross with the signals; and everyone needs to avoid distractions.
The Milford Borough campaign launched on April 25 and will continue into May. During the campaign educational materials will be on display in Milford, through local businesses, public locations, and via social media. Street Smart NJ messaging will be visible on street signs, table tents, brochures, posters, coasters, and take out coffee sleeves. Window clings will displayed in storefronts to remind pedestrians to use crosswalks. And, just in time for the new plastic bag ban, reusable Street Smart NJ branded shopping bags will be distributed within the community.
The statewide Street Smart NJ campaign is managed by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) and began in 2013.
The Milford Borough Street Smart NJ campaign is the fourteenth (14th) campaign conducted in Hunterdon County. Prior campaigns include Califon Borough, Town of Clinton, Flemington Borough, Frenchtown Borough, High Bridge Borough, Tewksbury Township, and the City of Lambertville. More information about Street Smart NJ campaigns in Hunterdon County may be found: https://www.gohunterdon.org/bike-ped-programs/street-smart-nj/overview
Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping to promote the Street Smart NJ message in Milford Borough should contact Ryan Fisher, goHunterdon Safety Programs Coordinator, rfisher@gohunterdon.org.