Safety First

Safety First and Other Aphorisms We Lose Site of in Life
by Councilwoman Megan Riccio

While raising our children we capitalize on countless opportunities to instill in them reminders on how to behave, how to protect themselves, how to take care of themselves, and how to be generally good people. Brush your teeth, wipe your feet, say please and thank you, and look both ways! Safety first was a mantra my sister wore into my children’s little minds, regardless of the issues at hand, untied laces, bicycle helmets, scissors, and later, while walking to school, mall trips,beach trips and finally driving.

Somehow, as adults, we forget that all of these reminders are still applicable to us. We get so caught up in our daily to-do lists that while rushing from one place to the next, we forget the most basic lesson, which also happens to be the most important: SAFETY FIRST!

Our little bucolic town has not been immune to issues that arise from people losing site of basic lessons. Unfortunately, safety takes a back seat on our main thoroughfares and speeding and distracted driving prevail. While we have been mostly lucky to have avoided tragic circumstances; safe driving is not something to take a gamble on.

The Washington Township Police Department has made great efforts to maintain a presence in Town; to deploy speed monitors in areas in which the speed limit is commonly disregarded and to issue citations to drivers that are careless of posted limits and driving while distracted. But, as can be expected, when the speed monitors are not on the road and the police cruisers are not in sight, these careless habits ensue. The Police Department is asking that with summertime upon us, it is now more important than ever that we all make an effort to reel ourselves in. Let’s be vigilant about our driving and, most importantly, set an example for our children, for our community and for our visitors. If all of the driving residents in Town made a point of adhering to posted limits, stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks and put down their phone while driving, we’d create a reputation as THE TOWN that makes safety a priority for our children, our pedestrians, and our drivers-FOR EVERYONE!

Let’s all capitalize on this opportunity to make Califon a town where everyone’s well-being is everyone’s priority and always remember…SAFETY FIRST!

Last modified: July 8, 2016