Woodbridge begins program to advance pedestrian safety
Township is third in county to participate in Slow Down in Our Town
BY KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above, a look at the "Slow Down in Our Town" signs along Grove Street in Woodbridge. Right, Mayor John E. McCormac at the "Slow Down in Our Town" press conference to announce the pedestrian safety program on April 10.

WOODBRIDGE - The township has become the third town in Middlesex County to participate in the countywide Slow Down in Our Town pedestrian safety campaign.

The bright yellow lawn signs, which depict two children playing catch with their pet dog as a car approaches, were placed along Barron Avenue, which is the neighborhood surrounding Woodbridge Middle School.

The 75 parent-teacher organizations have agreed to spearhead the lawn-sign program by raising funds to purchase additional signs and by distributing the signs to parents and families who volunteer to place the signs in their front yards or areas facing traffic. The signs will serve as a visual reminder to motorists to slow down.

Mayor John E. McCormac and Middlesex County Freeholder James Polos announced the campaign along with Schools Superintendent Vincent Smith and township parent-teacher organizations at the Woodbridge Middle School on April 10.

The campaign is a partnership between neighborhood residents, schools, students, and PTOs.

"Woodbridge Township is pleased to become the newest Middlesex County community to participate in the Slow Down in Our Town pedestrian safety program reminding motorists to drive slowly and with caution in residential communities and school zones," said McCormac. "This is an important effort in keeping kids and pedestrians safe and in improving the quality of life for students and parents in every community."

Polos, who is the creator of the countywide pedestrian safety campaign, said he is pleased that the township has embraced the program.

"The Freeholder Board is committed to programs that keep our children safe," said Polos. "By reminding drivers to take extra care through residential neighborhoods, Slow Down in Our Town is helping us do just that."

The campaign resulted from a 2006 countywide contest, which invited students from grades kindergarten through 12 to submit designs for signs to address speeding in residential communities and school zones.

Destiny Griggs, 15, who attends the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical High School, submitted the winning entry. Two township students - Gabrieola Teixeira and Devansh Gupta - submitted runner-up drawings in the middle school categories.

"It is extremely encouraging when students, parents, teachers and officials at the county and local level get together to attack a problem such as pedestrian safety," said Smith. "The poster contest demonstrates that students are aware of pedestrian safety and speeding drivers and they will work to find solutions to the dangerous situations."

The Township Police Department will assist in identifying high-density and potentially dangerous traffic areas in school zones and residential communities and will undertake increased enforcement actions to slow down traffic.