We live in Basking Ridge, Bernards, NJ, that offers a tranquil environment for families and individuals to thrive. However, as residents of this community, we face the increasing danger and inconvenience of traffic congestion and accidents on Allen Road. This crucial thoroughfare has become a significant concern for us all, as it directly affects our daily lives, commutes, and overall safety. NO DONATIONS REQUIRED AT THIS STAGE - please do not donate on www.change.org

Allen Road is a vital link connecting local neighborhoods to schools, workplaces, and essential services. Unfortunately, the rising volume of traffic has led to frequent accidents, making it a hazardous route for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. As residents, we are witnesses to the alarming frequency of near-misses and collisions that occur along this road - please look below at the history of safety, accident issues & similar petition on Allen Road. A resident crossing the road on Friday Oct 31st was hit by a driver on Allen Road, she was in the ICU for  2 weeks she fought very bravely but sadly succumbed to the injuries & passed away on Friday Nov 14th (our deepest condolences - thoughts & prayers for her family & loved ones - Om Shanti) -- "The 42-year-old woman, who was using a marked crosswalk and crossing Allen Road in a northbound direction, was hit by the Toyota, said  Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald"  per this Patch article about this unfortunate & avoidable accident https://patch.com/new-jersey/baskingridge/basking-ridge-woman-walking-crosswalk-hit-car-hospitalized-critical

Statistics show that over the past year, traffic on Allen Road has increased over the years, with accident rates climbing. These highlight an urgent need for action to address the growing safety risks that this road presents.

We propose several actions to mitigate these dangers (not listed in order of priority).  This is not a full comprehensive list, we would appreciate any more ideas from the experts First, the authorities should consider implementing traffic calming measures such as Speed bumps Rumble strips Lowering speed limit. For eg Montclair has designated all town roads to a max of 25 MPH and roads with schools to 20 MPH https://www.montclairnjusa.org/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/government/boards-and-commission/documents/vision-zero/speed-matters-vzm-oct-newsletterfnl.pdf Allen Road is the access road to Mt Prospect Elementary School. Enhanced traffic signals/stop signs Designating Allen Road as a "Local Safe Corridor".  A local safe corridor is a segment of highway under county jurisdiction that is identified by the Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety as warranting designation based on crash rates, fatalities, traffic volume, and other safety criteria. The revenue from doubled fines in designated local safe corridors is deposited into a "Local Safe Corridor Fund" to be used for local highway safety projects and programs, which are administered by the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. Automated speed enforcement etc. Additional stop signs. These interventions have been proven to reduce speed and improve safety in similar communities.

Second, Increased police presence during could also deter reckless driving behaviors, contributing to a safer environment. Third,  make Allen road more safer for pedestrians & bikers on Allen Road More lights & higher wattage on Allen Road  Pedestrian Crossings at every development entrance Pedestrian Crossings with Flashing Lights Add red/blue lights to the two traffic speed radars on Allen Rd, just having a radar that just notifies of your speed is not enough In-street "stop for pedestrians" signs on every pedestrian cross walk etc.  This will make Allen road more safer for residents walking & biking on Allen Road.  Fourth, Somerset County, Bernards Township and other organizations to educate pedestrians, drivers and cyclist on road rules  For example Hunterdon county runs a great program to educate residents https://gohunterdon.org/blog/october-is-pedestrian-safety-month/ Encourage pedestrian/cyclist to wear neon clothing in the dark etc Moreover, initiating a community dialogue with local authorities can help generate valuable insights and support more comprehensive and tailored strategies. We are calling upon the Bernards (Basking Ridge) Township & Somerset County  officials to prioritize this issue and start working on a long-term traffic management plan that ensures safety for all road users.

Signing this petition (signing this petition is open to concerned resident, family/friends of accident victim or any one else) is a step towards safeguarding our community's wellbeing and ensuring that Allen Road becomes a safer place for everyone. Please add your name to help us bring about the change we desperately need. Your support matters immensely.   Thanks,   History of Allen Road Accident & Safety Issues This is the second time residents in the area have launched a petition looking to address safety concerns on Allen Road.
In 2016, David Dolgin started a petition (https://www.change.org/p/dept-of-public-works-traffic-light-installation-on-a-very-dangerous-street // he got 393 signatories )  after being hit by a speeding car on Allen Road at the intersection of Patriot Hill/Hamilton Woods on Dec. 15, 2015. He suffered a severely damaged left leg, requiring five major surgeries in 14 days, and his two dogs were killed. On Oct. 6, 2016, Beom Sohn, 56, from Basking Ridge, was also hit by a car when he was crossing Liberty Ridge Road at Allen Road around 7:50 a.m., according to Bernards Township Police. Sohn was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he died the next morning from his injuries. On Sept. 10, 2019, around 6:50 p.m., a bicyclist was riding in the shoulder near Hamilton Road when a walker with a dog got close to the biker, Bernards Township Police said. The biker moved toward the boundary line, which separates the bike lane from the roadway, to avoid the dog when he was hit by a car, according to police. The bicyclist did not report any injuries at the time of the report.
On April 13, 2022, a 2013 White Lexus SUV had stopped at Hamilton Road and turned left onto westbound Allen Road when it hit a 71-year-old man near the crosswalk, said police. The pedestrian had serious injuries and was taken to Morristown Hospital for treatment. A pedestrian safety and vehicle speed study was then conducted by Somerset County on Allen Road in Bernards Township. Read More:  https://patch.com/new-jersey/baskingridge/allen-road-dangerous-county-conducts-study In June 2022, Somerset County sought input from residents for safety improvements at the intersection of Allen Road and Somerville Road in Bernards Township. In December 2022, Somerset County proposed a roundabout at the intersection of Allen Road and Somerville Road. This was opposed by the Bernards Township Committee. "Basically at the end of the day, we heard from a lot of the residents up in the hills and the vast super ultra majority wanted absolutely nothing to do with this roundabout," said Mayor James Baldassare at the time. "That being the case we are not going to go forward with it and its really just that simple."  Dolgin attended several town halls following his accident and worked with safety officials to get speed monitoring signs installed at the bottom of both lanes on Allen Road. In addition, a flashing pedestrian crosswalk was placed at the entrance of the shopping center. Source:  https://patch.com/new-jersey/baskingridge/safety-traffic-issues-allen-road-prompt-petition-after-basking-ridge-woman