I’m one of those people who were stuck in over an hour of traffic yesterday because of the accident on Cedarbridge.
It has become ridiculous what’s going on in this town with accidents. I for one am glad the police are cracking down, and they should continue doing so until we are down to zero accidents per day.
But here’s my idea that I think would help reduce the accident rate.
If someone is found guilty in an accident, he or she should be liable for the costs it involves for repairs. For example, if someone knocks out a pole, they should be held liable for the repairs of the pole (not the town), as well as for the costs of overtime of the police etc. (I won’t go as far as saying they should be held liable for the loss of business to the stores affected, though they should be.)
I think this would bring awareness and get people to pay more attention to the road, thereby reducing accidents.
A driver sick and tired of wasting hours in traffic.
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This is already how it works
When I was in involved in an accident my insurance company did not pay for police overtime and other expenses. It’s actually a good idea. People will think 10 times more before texting and driving or what not.
I think the utility pole itself, which gets covered by insurance costs more than the police overtime and if you hit the pole early enough there might not even be any overtime
If people were thinking about the possibility of an accident, they wouldn’t be driving distracted.
Changing one more fine print item is not going to make anybody think about it more.
Agreed not going to help.
Insurance pays the utility company. The utility company pays for the overtime and other expenses.
I believe this is what happens. The utilities go after the insurance. Not sure they can go after you personally. That’s the point of insurance.
I hate to break your bubble but they are liable not the township
Hello?
What do you think insurance is for?
Besides, if you have ever been in an accident you might be aware that there is a slightly arbitrary technique of assigning guilt in a situation.
For example, I knew someone who was at a complete stop at s as traffic light and got T-boned by someone pulling out of a parking lot. The insurance assigned 35% of the blame to him, despite the fact that he was at a complete stop and could not have done anything different to prevent the collision.
The driver who got t-boned while innocently waiting at a stop light or stop sign was probably accused of being in the wrong place at the wrong time or wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings to possibly avoid being t-boned. That’s probably what the insurance company alleges. What a racket.
So while you may be impassioned to try to provide a quick easy fix to the problems of the world, this will not solve the issue not will it be just and equitable (aside from the fact that it is already partially in place).
There are, however, many studies showing that narrower roads with parked cars or mature trees leaning into the road are significantly safer for both pedestrians and vehicles, since drivers are uncomfortable, and are therefore forced to drive more slowly and cautiously.
So perhaps adding a shoulder to each side of Cedarbridge narrowing the lanes slightly and adding a barrier divide in the two directions of Cedarbridge might have more of an impact.
Everyone drives on the shoulder on Central, why wouldn’t they on Cedarbridge?
Everyone drawing conclusions speed, phones etc. The fact is, the only statistic that changed in the last few years is the thousands of more cars on the road – which causes traffic, which results in impatient driving – hence accidents.. speeds, tickets etc. are only Band-Aids. The town approved development after development because it’s unfair for people not to be able to afford and live in Lakewood. The result – expensive housing, taxes, accidents and higher insurance rates.
Did you vote last month?
Many people aren’t making accidents intentionally, it’s because lots of other things involved, late to work taking kids home from school and the other bus is waiting and so on. So please people don’t need more expenses and problems. Someone can drive safe almost always and still have a situation that unfortunately brings him to an accident. And in any case this writer is obviously uninformed on how this works as the insurance company does have to pay and the police are here anyways.
If all people care about is themselves that’s intent which goes to motive. If the driver is determined to be at fault, good luck with your insurance, they don’t care about your intent, only the damages you caused. I’ve had a couple of “accidents” in Lakewood, where you are required to call the police and present your insurance card. The persons that hit me did not want to go to the insurance company and pay me if I went to their shop. I went to my shop and gave them the estimate and they tried to get out of it. I told them I would send the police report to my insurance company, as is required and they objected and paid my me for my shop.
If you want to reduce accidents, make more lanes to reduce traffic. Traffic causes accidents. As for Cedarbridge specifically, it is in my opinion, one of the most dangerous streets in Lakewood. It could use a wider median, turning lanes and parking lanes…
Accidents unfortunately do happen – however maybe if the utility wires can be put underground it will prevent road closures and wires and poles won’t have to be replaced.
A very expensive undertaking.
An “undertaking” indeed.
I once knocked over a pole on Route 9, but my insurance company refused to cover the costs because they noticed that there were 2 poles that were down in that specific location, one on Route 9 South and one on Route 9 North, and I hadn’t specified which of the two poles was the one I knocked down.
So I sent them back a reply specifying that I had crashed into the North Pole.
Much to my chagrin, they sent me back a sarcastic and extremely cold response.
“Next time, you’re crashing a vacation spot,” the insurance company wrote to me, “use your brains and seek out a warmer destination.”
The insurance company added: “Our apologies to you, but we don’t cover that area. However, we’d like to refer you to a Mr. Claus for further assistance; the area you are referring to is his domain.”
I happen to love your comments, but what on earth do you do for a living that you have time to write such long pieces on like every article?? Maybe TLS pays you to lighten up the tension in the comments section 🙂
I think that we can get more cars off the road by requiring simcha halls to provide adequately sized parking lots. The simcha hall traffic creates gridlock and unsafe driving conditions on a constant basis – much more than an occasional accident.
And for the record, the recent introduction of the Banquet Hall Ordinance does not have a provision for a normal minimum parking requirement. It’s not even remotely close to an appropriate ratio.
1 parking spot for every 2 attendees in the hall (including staff) or 1 spot for every 25-30 square feet would be more sensible. The truth is that a 1:1 ratio is the best, but I’m not sure how feasible (space-wise) that would be.
That is presently under litigation with the township. The most recent hearing was on 11/28.
I think it’s about time we get light rail trains
all around Lakewood! ( Like Israel has)
That way we have less cars on the roads and it’s way easier and faster & less expensive to get all around this growing township.
I’ve been dreaming about that for the last few months, in addition where we could stick another parallel-to-the-9-with-3 lane-each-direction avenue.
Of course the second one would need me to have about 3.2 billion dollars and would be the kind of 10+ year construction project like the 2nd Ave Subway extension in NYC, if anyone here even knows what I’m talking about.
Not that this is a good excuse, but if someone is in traffic for an hour, they may need to pick up a phonecall during that time. The longer people sit in traffic, the more likely they are to use their phones
Cool. It almost sounds like a conspiracy on behalf of the township government.
First, they help create a situation where they approve every land use application which will bring more traffic to our overwhelmed streets. Then, they don’t make sure that simcha halls are required to provide adequate parking, which results in even more cars on our streets. Then, when you’re forced to sit in standstill traffic for hours, you will obviously need to stay in touch with life by using your cell phone. And that’s where they get to nab you by issuing expensive tickets, so the township can fill their coffers with even more of your hard-earned money.
I must admit that it’s quite a brilliant scheme!
Cool. It almost sounds like a conspiracy on behalf of the township government.
First, they help create a situation where they approve every land use application which will bring more traffic to our overwhelmed streets. Then they don’t make sure that simcha halls are required to provide adequate parking, which results in even more cars on our streets. Then, when you’re forced to sit in standstill traffic for hours, you will obviously need to stay in touch with life by using your cell phone. And that’s where they get to nab you by issuing expensive tickets, so the township can fill their coffers with even more of your hard-earned money.
I must admit that it’s quite a brilliant scheme!
Whoever didn’t vote in November should stop complaining. In a democracy that’s how we appoint leaders, that’s your fair chance to make yourself heard. Staying home and complaining that our town sucks, you had your chance and didn’t use it. Now suck it up.
Are you really sick and tired of waiting
in traffic or maybe you should be sick and
saddened with all the people who are being injured or killed R’L because of these car accidents.
You should also arrange a demonstration
when they have a Town Meeting giving everyone variances to build new developments and houses, when Lakewood was not meant to be NY or any other big city.
As a matter of fact Lakewort used to be a Resort Town and a Ir Hakodesh.
Now look at it, you have fear crossing the street even with a traffic light.
Driving: Cars come from the front the
front of you the back of you from the left and the right.
All I can say: Is we have To Daven the Hashem should have Rachmonos on us and we shouln’t have any more car
accidents.
We should be zoche to share only Besuros Tovos!
What the heck, install cable cars around town and its a win win, the kids, parents, schools, police will all love it, even the kids playing hookie will hop on for the ride, Nu Efsher a plan.
TIME TO DOUBLE RT 9 so everyone can get to their destination without having to cut off people
As part of my job I have been driving in Lakewood for the past three years and the two things that have struck me the most are a total lack of courtesy by other drivers, mostly males, and a blatant breaking of the law, also mostly males, such as running lights as much as 10 seconds after they’ve become red, turning or pulling out without looking or driving outside designated lanes. It’s as if they don’t believe the laws apply to them and since I have yet to see a policeman issue a ticket during these three years, apparently they don’t. As for the women, they seem to have never met a phone, they won’t be talking on while driving. If tickets were issued for these type violations, there would be less poor driving on the road (suspended licenses, assuming they have a license), and a ton of more money in Lakewood’s coffers. If only laws applied to everyone equally…..