Califon Borough Kicks Off Street Smart Pedestrian Safety Campaign

Mayor Charles Daniel announced today that the Washington Township Police Department, which serves as the policing agency for Califon Borough, will conduct a “Street Smart NJ” pedestrian safety education campaign aimed at reducing pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes in the Borough of Califon. Street Smart NJ is a collaborative effort between public, private and non-profit organizations, funded and managed by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA).

Califon will kick-off its Street Smart NJ campaign on Monday, April 23, 2018. The Police Department will work in collaboration with HART TMA, the local nonprofit transportation management association, as well as the Borough Council, business, residential, and school communities to encourage key behaviors to improve safety:

1. “Heads Up; Phones Down”
2. “Use Crosswalks”
3. “Wait for the Walk”
4. “Obey Speed Limits”
5. “Stop for Pedestrians”

From April 23- May 18, 2018, signs, posters, banners, tip cards and other safety messaging materials will be distributed throughout the community to reinforce these messages.  E-blasts, social media, school and community presentations will be used to raise additional awareness about pedestrian safety.  

“Califon is a walking community, said Mayor Daniel. “Our children walk to school. Residents can walk to the post office, churches, shops and eateries. “Visitors come to Califon to enjoy our quaint community. Keeping everyone safe while on foot is a high priority,” he adds.

“Throughout the safety campaign, police officers will be enforcing town speed limits and interacting with motorists to make sure they know and obey the law and stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk”, said Police Chief Jeff Almer.  “We’ll be reminding pedestrians to use crosswalks, cross at intersections, and not jaywalk.”

The campaign comes at a significant time. New Jersey is ranked 6 th in the nation in pedestrian fatalities, according to 2014 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The federal government has designated New Jersey a “focus” state – placing an extra emphasis on aiding the state in combating its higher- than-average pedestrian fatality rate and providing funding for this campaign.  

“Street Smart NJ is an important initiative that is making New Jersey streets safer for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, said Hunterdon County Freeholder Matt Holt, who serves as Second Vice Chairman on the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority Board of Trustees. “Street Smart not only saves lives, it improves the overall quality of life for residents. This is a great program and I encourage all of our towns to participate.”.

The Califon initiative will be the seventh Street Smart pedestrian safety campaign conducted in Hunterdon.  Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in helping to promote the Street Smart NJ message in Califon may contact Tara Shepherd, executive director, HART TMA, 908-788- 5553 or tara@harttma.com . To learn more about the statewide campaign, visit www.bestreetsmartnj.org .

Last modified: April 3, 2022