November 27th, 2023: West Windsor lost a life far too young after she and her dog were hit by a motor vehicle while crossing Rabbit Hill Rd between Abbington Lane and Bennington Drive. Knowing her personally for many years, she was the most kind hearted and ambitious person who was capable of going very far, and this has hit hard for her family and friends. Many already know how dangerous the crossing is. There are no streetlights, equating to zero visibility in the dark. The road is badly maintained and there are no pedestrian crossing lights. It makes no sense that there is no source of light in the crossing between two major residential areas. To make things worse, as we are entering the winter months, roads start to get icy, adding to the danger of the road. Therefore, it’s necessary we install pedestrian crossing lights on both sides of the road. Flashing lights are scientifically proven to catch the attention of the human eye. So many distracted drivers, the least we can do is use these lights to catch their attention, especially in the dark, when another innocent goes to cross this same road.

According to the 2021 Fatal Motor Crash Report, released by the New Jersey State Police, 218 of the 697 fatal crashes involved pedestrians. This was the highest number ever recorded since 1989.

Post the accident, the road's speed limit was changed to 40 MPH decreasing 10 MPH from its prior 50 MPH. According to various studies, this number isn't low enough, especially for a residential area road with minimal lighting. The studies say that the average risk of severe injury for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle is 75% at 39 MPH, and post 42 MPH, results in a 50% chance of death. (Impact Speed and a Pedestrian’s Risk of Severe Injury or Death - AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety)

A simple fraction of a second can change everything- when driving, even looking down at the phone for just a moment, or being distracted while having a conversation with someone, can all lead to someone's life being turned upside down. Once on the road, it's every driver's responsibility to pay attention, follow rules, and in tough situations, use their brain. There's no point rushing once out of the house. According to the U.S Department of Transportation, PHB (Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons) are generally used on roads with speed limits exceeding 35 MPH- so why not Rabbit Hill Rd? The department of transportation also suggests "If PHBs are not already familiar to a community, agencies should conduct appropriate education and outreach as part of implementation." It's high time West Windsor steps up and takes the steps necessary for the safety of its residents.