Program Overview
goHunterdon is available to work collaboratively with municipalities, schools, businesses, and community organizations to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. This includes participation on local safety committees, leading community walk assessments, facilitating public awareness campaigns, conducting safety events, and assisting in the identification of funding to make safety improvements.
Assistance Available
Walk Assessments
Is your community walkable? Walkability refers to the ease and safety with which people can walk within a specific area. It is a measure of how pedestrian-friendly a place is, considering factors like sidewalk presence, safe crosswalks, proximity to destinations, and overall road design. A walkable area encourages and supports walking as a means of transportation and recreational activity. Walk assessments provide an opportunity for community members to evaluate pedestrian facilities like sidewalks, crosswalks, signage, road and neighborhood conditions, document their experiences, and identify potential improvements that will increase pedestrian access and safety. goHunterdon is available to facilitate community walk assessments for municipalities at no charge.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Increasing roadway safety begins with awareness of the behaviors that contribute to crashes. goHunterdon is available to support municipalities that are interested in developing public awareness campaigns around roadway safety. Campaigns might focus on speeding, pedestrian safety laws, bicycle safety laws, distracted driving, or other topics that the community may prioritize. Municipalities may choose to develop their own campaign messaging or may wish to use the statewide Street Smart NJ campaign materials.
Crash Data
If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. goHunterdon provides municipalities with crash data reports using the NJ Division of Highway Traffic Safety Crash Analysis Tool, Numetric. Crash data may be filtered to include specific criteria, such as crash characteristics, contributing factors, and crash summaries. The data can aid in understanding crash patterns, safety and enforcement priorities, which can empower communities to improve road safety.
In-Street Pedestrian Sign Program
New Jersey state law (N.J.S.A 39:4-36 ) requires that drivers stop and stay stopped for pedestrians in marked crosswalks. goHunterdon supports municipalities to improve pedestrian safety by providing free in-street “stop for pedestrian” signs to be placed at crosswalks throughout Hunterdon County to raise awareness of this important safety law.
Public Awareness campaigns typically focus on reinforcing 5 key behaviors to improve safety:
Wait for the Walk
- Use the pedestrian buttons and begin crossing the street on the “Walk” signal.
- Watch out for vehicles turning right on red.
- When stepping off a bus, allow it to proceed before crossing to ensure a clear sight line.
Heads Up, Phones Down
- Do not text while walking across the street.
- Do not text or engage in other distractions while driving.
- Make eye contact with drivers/pedestrians.
Obey Speed Limits
- Know the speed limit on the roadway you are driving.
- Maintain appropriate speed.
Use Crosswalks
- Use marked crosswalks where available.
- If there is no crosswalk, cross only at corners and intersections.
- Use sidewalks or walk facing traffic where there are no sidewalks.
- Before crossing look left, right, then left again.
- Be visible at night and in inclement weather.
- Walk sober.
Stop for Pedestrians
- Stop and stay stopped for pedestrians in marked crosswalks and yield the right of way at intersections.
- Wait until the pedestrian has crossed all the way before proceeding.
- Look for other pedestrians who may begin crossing while you are stopped.
- Be careful when passing vehicles stopped at or adjacent to crosswalks and intersections.
- Stop and look for pedestrians and bicyclists before turning right on red.
- Do not block or park in crosswalks.
