Holmdel

Apr 06, 2017

Holmdel Police Promote Pedestrian Safety and Distracted Driver Awareness

As springtime nears, more pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and motorcyclists will be out on the roadways, enjoying the benefits of warmer weather. With this significant increase of activity, the Holmdel Police Department encourages everyone to be vigilant of their surroundings and to take extra care and time to make sure you arrive at your destination safely. 2016 Traffic Safety statistics show that more than half of the collisions investigated by the Holmdel Police Department were rear-enders or in a parking lot. Most were attributed to distractive driving.

Officers will be on increased pedestrian awareness enforcement since being approved for the 2017 Pedestrian Safety Grant. The funds will be utilized for officers to place special emphasis throughout the year on pedestrian safety by way of enforcement, public awareness, and engineering. The goal is to reverse the trend in increased pedestrian crashes in parking lots and on roadways.

In an effort to accomplish this goal, the township’s crosswalks, parks, and shopping centers will be monitored for violations. Motorists should be cautious when driving through these areas and remember, it is a state law to stop and stay stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk. This township-wide enforcement campaign not only involves stopping motorists for violations of the pedestrian laws, but also stopping pedestrians who fail to abide by the laws, as well.

Additionally, April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Holmdel Police Department has applied for the Distracted Driving 2017 Statewide Crackdown Grant. If awarded the grant, this will enable police officers to work increased distracted driving enforcement patrols. Holmdel Police Officers on regular patrols will be on the lookout for moving violations and targeting vehicles where the operator’s actions are distracted, aggressive, or impaired.

Lastly, the Holmdel Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit often receives calls of motorists speeding within their neighborhoods. With springtime here, neighborhoods will see an increase in pedestrians, runners, bicyclists, and children playing outside, so it is imperative, for the safety of all, that motorists be cognizant of their driving behaviors and of the 25-mile-per-hour residential speed limit.

Keeping residents and motorists safe is a mutual effort, and the police appreciate you doing your part in working together with law enforcement and making Holmdel a safer community. If you would like further information or have any questions, you can contact Sgt. Vincent Imperato or Ptl. Christopher Cherney in the Traffic Safety Unit at (732) 946-9690, ext. 1732 or via email at vimperato@holmdelpolice.org or ccherney@holmdelpolice.org.