Margaret Collins used her imagination and creativity to come up with a catchy way to urge motorists driving in Cranbury to slow down, with an assist from George Washington.
The 10-year-old was one of about 80 local youths who participated in a sign-making contest the township and the police department held to see who could come up with the top “Slow Down in Our Town” sign and slogan. The original plan was to award prizes, by age category, to the top sign-makers.
But Township Committeeman Jay Taylor said this week the signs were “so good” that officials could not decide who were the first, second and third place winners. Instead, children received certificates of appreciation and gift certificates for free milk shakes and ice cream.
The town held a ceremony on Sept. 10 in the municipal building, with 19 of the children and their parents attending, and the youngsters posing for pictures with township officials.
“It was just a way for the kids to use their artistic talent to get drivers in town to slow down,” Taylor said of the contest.
Children put their signs on the front lawn of their homes. In Margaret’s case, she took the portrait of George Washington on the dollar bill and made a thought bubble saying “Make speeding history in Cranbury.” Next to Washington is a hashtag that reads “#Georgewashsaysslowdown!”
“I think it’s terrific the township got the kids interested in something that had to do with safety, with communicating a message …,” said Scott Collins, Margaret’s father. “It got them really thinking about ways that were fun and clever to promote safety in the town.”
Mayor Glenn Johnson, addressing the youths and their parents, said “safety is the most important issue” he and other officials have to deal with.
“Your signs really helped to bring the speeds down on Cranbury’s roads,” he said. “I can tell you that when I was driving around, I saw people kind of slow down and pull over a little bit so they could read the signs by the side of the road.”
Traffic safety, particularly with speeding, has been an issue in town. Last year, a 13-year-old girl was struck by a hit-and-run driver at South Main Street and Evans Drive. She survived her injuries, but her dog was killed.
Cranbury resident Jennifer Diamond, whose third-grade daughter, Allison, participated in the contest, said her family has lived on “very busy” Old Trenton Road for nearly 20 years. She said her concern is with motorists passing the school bus that stops in front of her home.
“I think this campaign did have people slowing down for paying attention for the time being,” she said.
Officials said they intend to have the contest again next year.