By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR Speeders beware: the speed limit on Village Road West has been officially reduced to 40 mph marking a victory for concerned residents, bicyclists and pedestrians.
With a 4-1 vote, the Township Council passed the ordinance that reduces the speed limit by 5 mph on about a 2.5-mile stretch on the road. After a 2009 fatality, a traffic analytical study found 40 mph was the lowest legal limit that would meet state requirements.
Lone dissenter Councilman Bryan Maher said a responsible driver should be able to drive 45 mph. He voiced concerns about potential head-on collisions due to impatient drivers passing over the double yellow lines.
The rest of the council agreed with the speed reduction, often citing it was reasonable and that one fatality was one too many. Mr. Maher pointed out again that speed was not a factor in the 2009 death.
”It bothers me when people throw stuff out there about accidents you’re always going to have accidents because some people don’t pay attention,” said Mr. Maher. “You can’t punish the masses for the sins of the few when ‘x’ doesn’t equate to ‘y’.”
Councilwoman Kristina Samonte thought the ordinance was valid not only because it supported the traffic study’s recommendations, but also because it rectified the issue of having an illegal limit.
Prior to the ordinance, the Department of Transportation did not recognize the 45-mph limit because former mayor Thomas Frascella did not satisfy the necessary requirements when he reduced it from 50 mph in 1993.
Until now, motorists could do 50 mph and have any speeding tickets thrown out of court.
The ordinance has had a slightly difficult journey, beginning in June when Mr. Maher first expressed much opposition toward reducing the speed.
The delays continued to draw forth an increasing number of concerned residents of all ages, who rallied at each succeeding meeting for the council to revisit the ordinance. Many of them returned on Aug. 6 for the public hearing, reiterating their desire to feel safer whether in a car, on foot or on a bicycle.
”I think it’s important to create a safer place for people to bike, a safer place for people to walk and a safer place for people to drive,” said former council member Alison Miller. “This is a street where people live and go for recreation and everyone has to be taken into consideration.”
”West Windsor is not a raceway, although some of you may think so,” said resident Janet Lerner. “I would like there to be one speed I can deal with and that’s 40 mph.”
Other residents agreed with Mr. Maher and thought 45 mph was reasonable.
Debbie Hepler thought the solution would be to have more policemen on the road.
”The physical presence of police will deter people from speeding we’re paying them so let’s have them out at these dangerous spots and make people behave themselves and drive safely,” she said.
Now that the speed limit has been lowered, Councilwoman Linda Geevers said the next step should be to review the placement of signage and to make sure they are consistent to prevent confusion.
”We need to move forward with new signs and make sure the advisory signs are correct and the placement is correct,” she said.

