Monmouth County leaders remind children and drivers to stay safe as schools start
With more children riding e-bikes or walking to school, improvements to intersections are a must.
Over the next few weeks, children will head back to school and on Thursday in Monmouth County, safety experts reminded kids, parents and drivers to pay attention and be safe.
With more children riding e-bikes or walking to school, improvements to intersections are a must.
A near-collision interrupted News 12's interview with Monmouth County's top law enforcement brass at the intersection of Little Silver Point and Seven Bridges Road. Incidents like these are on the rise, says prosecutor Raymond Santiago.
"We unfortunately, have had a significant increase in fatalities in bicycles and e-bikes this year, and we're seeing more and more on the road," said Santiago.
County leaders want towns to know grant money is available for dangerous intersections. Crosswalks, added signage and lights could all be covered.
Hank Martin and his wife walk there daily.
"It's really busy. If there's no crossing guard, it makes it a real tough cross to go across Seven Bridges," said Martin. "How often do people just blow through that? I'd say at best 50/50 maybe a little less," he said.
The safety improvements coming to that intersection will include flashing beacon lights, but every expert on hand at the meeting says you can't just rely on one specific feature. Education starts at home.
"Parents need to educate their kids as well about using the crosswalks, having bike safety gear, the rules of the road for bikes," said Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden.
And as further cuts hit school districts, that means less bus routes.
"You are going to see a lot more people, children, walking and bicycling," said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone.
Improvements have already been completed at other intersections in Little Silver. Towns looking to take advantage of the grant money have until Oct. 9 to submit an application. For more information, contact the commissioner's office of Tom Arnone.
