City of Summit takes action to protect more pedestrians

~ susie


Everyone knows the dangers of texting and driving. However, people can become distracted by a smartphone at any time, even when they are walking. It is a problem the City of Summit, NJ has realized, and they are taking steps to correct it.

It began as an awareness campaign, with Summit officials speaking to the local school district and residents about the dangers of walking while looking down at a phone. Then, adding to those efforts, the city began making structural changes to some of the roads.

At some of the city’s busiest intersections the curbs have been expanded to
encourage drivers to slow down. New lines, much like the lines in bike lanes, have also been painted onto the roads so the road would appear narrower. This was also done to try and get drivers to slow down, and to provide more space between the drivers and pedestrians.

Realizing that intersections are some of the most dangerous parts of the roadway for pedestrians, the city has also taken action at some of the busiest intersections. It has installed large flashing pedestrian beacons that will alert drivers to the fact that someone is crossing after they push a button. Four new stop signs have also appeared at different intersections throughout the city. In addition to these safety measures, speed bumps have also been planned for busier roads where drivers are more likely to speed.

The improvements come at a cost. The pedestrian beacons come at a cost between $25,000 and $40,000 each, while expanding curbs costs approximately $5,000 each. It is clear though, that the costs associated with making these changes is worth it.

“The City of Summit should be applauded for the measures they are taking to save lives,” says Richard Grungo of Grungo Colarulo, “However, it is also important pedestrians become more aware while they are walking. Walking while distracted, particularly while crossing a street, can be just as dangerous an activity as distracted driving.”

Summit has always been a city that is proactive in protecting its citizens. While accidents involving distracted pedestrians are increasing around the country, they are decreasing in Summit. After the two pedestrian fatalities that occurred in December of 2011, only a few pedestrian accidents have occurred in the city and each of them only involved minor injuries.

Blowin’ smoke on Super Sunday

~ odd man out ~ 1 Comment

I was sitting on the porch with Swamp Rabbit, trying to nail down the silliest Super Bowl moment. Was it Budweiser’s “Blowin’ In the Wind” commercial or the halftime performance by Maroon 5?

“Ain’t nothin’ silly about ‘Blowin’ In the Wind,'” the rabbit said. “The song plays and you see a beer wagon pulled by them big horses with them wind turbines in the background and them words on the screen: ‘Now brewed with wind power for a better tomorrow.’ It’s a good message.”

“Budweiser is blowing smoke,” I replied. “They’re hooked up with two of the worst right-wing organizations in the country — the American Legislative Exchange Council, called ALEC, and the Chamber of Commerce. No way ALEC will go for clean energy. Climate deniers care about today, not tomorrow.”

The rabbit lit a cigarette and blew smoke at the porch’s tar paper roof. “Budweiser is using wind power, and that helps the environment,” he said. “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good, Odd Man.”

I told him wind energy is part of Anheuser-Busch’s campaign to make people believe their beer is more “natural” and “organic” than other beers. It’s a propaganda stunt to mislead beer drinkers, a huge demographic that’s easy to fool.

I said, “Next you’ll be telling me Maroon 5 is a great band instead of a third-rate boy band that was hired because a lot of name acts turned against the NFL after they banned Colin Kaepernick for protesting racism.”

The rabbit looked at me and said, “Of course they’re a great band. If they weren’t they wouldn’t be at the Super Bowl.”

He was putting me on, I think. We jawed about the game itself — a mostly dull affair in which the Patriots beat the Rams 13-3 — and about how the Super Bowl disappoints most years because of the gulf between the hype and the reality. I told him the vulgarity of the spectacle is no longer funny once you realize the team owners have the mentality of slave owners.

“If you think it’s that bad, why’d you watch part of the game?” the rabbit said.

I had to think about that. “It’s the dead of winter,” I replied. “I had nothing better to complain about.”

Footnote: Speaking of vulgarity, I worked at an auto show on the day of the Super Bowl. On my way into the PA Convention Center, I passed a guy hawking stuff on the street corner. “Pretzels!” he shouted. “Candy! Cotton Candy! Super Bowl rings!”

There were no takers.