To the editor:
A West Windsor resident was hit by a car as he was crossing at the corner of Route 571 (Princeton-Hightstown Road) and Wallace Road at 6 PM on Monday, November 30. As was his custom, he was wearing a reflective vest to make himself more visible to motorists.
This intersection, near the train station in downtown Princeton Junction, is one of the busiest in West Windsor, and the safety problems there are well-known. The West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance recommended changes two years ago that would make it safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. These include adding crosswalks at all four crossings, repairing the non-functioning pedestrian-activated crossing signal, increasing overhead street lighting, adding “yield to pedestrian” signs at the four corners and taking steps to reduce the speed of traffic (for more, see wwbpa.org). This same intersection led the list of those in West Windsor most in need of improvement, as presented by the WWBPA to the mayor, administration and township council in January 2009; and it was the focus of extensive recommendations presented following an educational walk on October 9, 2007. So far, we have seen essentially no changes.
The Township is planning an informational meeting on possible improvements to Route 571 between Wallace/Cranbury Road and Clarksville Road on December 15 at the West Windsor Municipal Center. It will begin at 6 PM and include a formal presentation of the plans at 7 PM. These plans appear to be merely “concept plans,” so it is important that residents attend to make clear that they want the right improvements made to this intersection.
Increasing pedestrian safety benefits us all. The benefits to pedestrians are obvious. For drivers, increased lighting and other safety measures on our dark roads can prevent the nightmare of realizing that you have just hit a pedestrian. Fortunately, this particular pedestrian suffered no neurological damage nor broken bones.
Sandy Shapiro,
trustee
West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance
www.wwbpa.org
Editor’s Note: The incident which Shapiro references above occurred on November 30 just after dusk, according to West Windsor Police Lieutenant Patrick McCormick.
A 64-year-old Princeton Junction resident was struck by a car driven by a 56-year-old man from Lawrence as he was making a right turn from Wallace Road onto Route 571 eastbound, said McCormick. “According to the pedestrian, he was approximately a quarter of the way into the intersection when he was struck and knocked to the ground,” McCormick said. “He ended up in the seated position.”
McCormick said the victim claimed he did not call police initially because he needed to get home, and the driver of the car actually gave him a ride home. Later that evening, his body began to hurt, and he sought medical attention, McCormick said.
No ticket was issued because the report was not filed until the next day after the incident, McCormick said. Police took a report based on the fact that there was a complaint of pain involved.
“Unfortunately, both roads are heavily traveled, and most of the incidents that I’ve seen over the yaers occur at dusk, which is the worst time of the day when visiblity is the poorest,” said McCormick. “Proceed through that area with caution.”
He advised pedestrians to wear reflective vests or clothing or to carry flashlights to make themselves more visible, and drivers to pay close attention in that area. “People just don’t see the pedestrians,” he said. “It’s a very busy area.”
