Thursday, May 22, 2025
Jersey Shore Summer Street Smart NJ Campaign Kicks Off
With millions of people expected to visit New Jersey’s beaches this summer, police departments in shore communities are participating in Street Smart NJ to raise awareness about pedestrian safety. Harvey Cedars hosted a campaign kickoff ahead of Memorial Day weekend at High Point Volunteer Fire Company at the intersection of W. 80th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, where both the Borough and Ocean County have made recent safety improvements.
“Working with Ocean County, Harvey Cedars has been able to make this intersection, and other parts of the Boulevard, much safer for people walking or biking,” Harvey Cedars Mayor John Imperiale said. “We have sidewalks and bicycle lanes along several blocks and we’re adding more this year as we continue working to make our community safer for everyone.”
Street Smart NJ is a public awareness and behavioral change campaign aimed at reducing pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes. It complements other state and local efforts to build safer streets and sidewalks, enforce laws and train better road users.
“Raising public awareness is vital in helping to save lives and prevent injuries on our roads – especially during the summer season when we host thousands of visitors in our shore towns,” said Ocean County Commissioner Deputy Director Frank Sadeghi, co-chair of the County’s Departments of Engineering and Roads. “With the help of our police departments, we have developed an important partnership that takes the message on travel safety to where it really counts – to drivers and pedestrians who need to look out for each other every day, at every crosswalk, along every road and at every intersection.”
The campaign emphasizes educating drivers and pedestrians through mass media and grassroots outreach, as well as targeted enforcement. Police officers focus on engaging and educating, rather than simply issuing citations.
“During the busy summer months, we see a dramatic increase in the number of people walking and biking in our communities. At the same time, there are significantly more vehicles travelling on our roads, which raises safety concerns,” Harvey Cedars Police Chief Robert Burnaford said. “We want everyone to be ‘smart’ while travelling by following the law.”
The campaign reminds drivers to obey speed limits; stop for people crossing; avoid distractions; and provide at least 4 feet, or a full lane, when passing someone walking or biking in the road. Pedestrians are reminded to use crosswalks or cross at corners; wait for the walk or green light at signalized intersections; and look before crossing. These messages are incorporated into safety tip cards, posters, banners, outdoor signs, coasters, tent cards and coffee cup sleeves, which communities will display and distribute during the campaign.
“Everyone can play a part in making our streets safer by simply following the law,” said Montville Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, Vice President of the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police. “Drivers need to obey speed limits, move over when passing emergency responders and people walking or biking, and avoid distractions. If you’re out walking, wait for the walk signal and cross at corners or intersections where it’s easier for drivers to see you. Working together we can help save lives.”
In addition to Harvey Cedars, police departments in Beach Haven, Surf City, Manchester Township, Mantoloking, Monmouth Beach, Ocean Township and Point Pleasant Beach are participating in the campaign this summer. Representatives from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, Ocean County Police Chiefs Association, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), NJ Bike and Walk Coalition and Greater Mercer Transportation Management Association also participated in the campaign kickoff event.
“These campaigns make a difference and we appreciate all of the communities that are hosting campaigns during the busy summer season,” said David W. Behrend, NJTPA Executive Director. “The more communities that get involved, the more we can raise awareness and ultimately work toward our shared goal of zero traffic deaths.”
The NJTPA created the Street Smart NJ program in 2013. Long Beach Island was among the first communities in the state to pilot the program in 2014 and has regularly held summer campaigns to remind visitors and residents of the importance of being safe when travelling. More than 265 communities and colleges have participated in the program since its inception. Visit BeStreetSmartNJ.org to learn more.