Two Pedestrians Accidents Prompt Speed Limit Discussion in Garwood

Two back-to-back pedestrians accidents on North Avenue in Garwood prompted Mayor Patricia Quattrocchi to discuss whether the speed limit is too high on the state road.  

At Tuesday's Garwood council meeting, Quattrocchi mentioned the incidents and that perhaps an investigation into lowering the limit from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour was necessary. 

Garwood Police Chief Bruce Underhill says both incidents took place when the pedestrians were jaywalking, about a block and a half from one another on two separate days. 

Around 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, Underhill says an employee at Garwood Metal was crossing from the business to the other side of North Avenue near McDonald's and Quick Chek when he was struck. The driver was issued a summons for failure to see the man, while he was issued a summons for jaywalking. He did not suffer any serious injuries. 

Around 10 p.m. on Oct. 18, Underhill says a woman was attempting to cross after leaving dinner at Oliver's and walked directly out in front of a car. The woman was airlifted to University Hospital in Newark but was released the next day.

Underhill says after the second incident, he commissioned the Garwood traffic division to do a study of North Avenue from Walnut Street to Oak Street, to see what state guidelines apply and if they are being complied with and to determine if the borough has any suggestions to pass on to the state. (North Avenue is a state road, while South Avenue is a county highway.)

"We are going to talk a look and see if there are any special causes and we’ll make our recommendations to the state if there are any deemed necessary," Underhill told Patch. "The mayor is concerned about the speed limit, but during rush hour you are lucky if you're able to go 35 on that road."

Underhill reminds residents that pedestrians should adhere to all traffic regulations, "which includes crossing at the corners where safety is provided in the crosswalks."

Underhill says along that area of North Avenue there have been other accidents with pedestrians over the years, but not with this frequency of two in one week.  

What do you think? Is the speed limit too high on North Avenue? Or do pedestrians need to be more careful? Tell us in the comments.