MONROE- Program comes after three two-car accidents
By: Al Wicklund
MONROE While the Township Council starts the process to get a traffic light at the intersection of Perrineville and Union Valley roads, the site of a motor-vehicle accident that took two lives in March, the Police Department has launched a townwide educational program about safe driving.
"When someone gets behind the wheel of a car, the role of driver has to take priority over everything else. Most accidents are caused by human error," acting-Lt. Paul Banach said earlier this week.
Lt. Banach, Sgt. Kenneth Gross and Officer Robert Bell have formed a safety-education team that is available to speak to all groups in the community.
Council President Irwin Nalitt said the police officers are prepared to make themselves available.
"They want to spread the word," Mr. Nalitt said.
He said that, while still in the early part of the program, the officers already have spoken at the retirement communities of Concordia and Greenbriar at Whittingham and at a township Democratic Club meeting.
The program comes following three two-car accidents that have resulted in four deaths. Murray and Nella Adler died in the accident at Perrineville and Union Valley roads, Mary A. Tvardzik Fetchko died in an accident at Applegarth Road and Centre Drive and Robert Gilbert died in an accident at the intersection of Buckelew Avenue and Hoffman Station Road.
Lt. Banach said it’s not new, but still true, that the best safety device in an automobile is an alert, concentrating driver.
"A great distraction among younger families is children. Other distractions can be conversation and thinking about everything else but driving," he said.
Mr. Nalitt said a recent review by police of accidents at Perrineville and Union Valley roads showed 27 accidents over the last three years and three months.
"Of the 27, three involved deer, four were with people under the age of 30 and 10 in which the people involved were between 30 and 60 years of age," he said.
Lt. Banach said he and his fellow officers give tips for safer driving during their talks. The tips include:
drive defensively keep adequate space between you and the car in front of you;
be aware of driving obstacles such as potholes and debris;
use directionals well in advance of making turns and be sure to turn them off when the turn has been safely made;
avoid driving distractions such as drinking, eating and talking on cellphones;
‡ obtain frequent eye exams; as much as 90 percent of your driving ability is in response to what you see;
plan your route; stopping in the middle of the road to determine where to turn is hazardous;
obey speed limits; be aware that traveling a good deal slower than the speed limit may be just as dangerous as speeding;
be courteous; road rage is a contributing factor to motor-vehicle accidents;
avoid taking medications when operating a motor vehicle; medications may reduce the reaction time and the ability to judge distances;
use safety belts; many fatalities are due to noncompliance with seat-belt laws.
Meanwhile, in an effort to get a traffic light at Perrineville and Union Valley roads, the Township Council has made its report to Middlesex County officials in preparation for a presentation to the state. County Engineer Ken Preteroti said it takes about three years to get a traffic light approved and installed.
The council has asked the county to install advance cautionary signs on Perrineville Road warning of the approaching intersection. Perrineville Road is a county road.
A resolution by the council directed the township’s Department of Public Works to install larger stop signs with reflectors and to paint visible stop lines on Union Valley Road. At its intersection with Perrineville Road, Union Valley is a stop street.
The council also directed Township Engineer Ernie Feist to investigate other possible intersection improvements.