This site is a free service for communication, self-expression and freedom of speech.

We believe this site increases the availability of information, encourages healthy debate, and connects viewers.

While reporting on topics:
We will ask the questions some newspapers don't.
We will print the questions that some newspapers won't.

All sources of information are confidential.


Thursday, December 20, 2012

Pedestrian Struck Crossing Rahway Ave. in Front of Edison Intermediate School

A child was struck moments ago while crossing in the crosswalk (across Rahway Ave.) in front of Edison Intermediate School.
Police have been notified. 
A witness to the accident scene stated that a woman was standing outside her car that was stopped on the crosswalk with the child laying in the roadway just outside the white lines of the crosswalk, in front of her car. 
The witness further stated that it appeared that  the child had made it approximately 3/4 across the roadway.

The following is an e-mail sent to parents from Edison Intermediate School Principal Matt Bolton.

Dear Edison School Families,

As I’m sure all of you noticed this morning, there were police cars and an ambulance in front of Edison School.  Unfortunately, two students were struck by a car as they crossed the street.  Both student were in good spirits as they and their parents were transported to the hospital for further evaluation. 

At this time of year, in the early morning, the sun shines directly into the eyes of drivers who are traveling East on Rahway Avenue.  As a result of this significant sun glare, it can be very difficult to see students and the crossing guard.  Please be careful driving on Rahway Avenue in the morning. 

Thank you,

Matt Bolton


12 comments:

  1. Moments ago my son drove past Rahway Avene and said he saw a flurry of police cars and ambulance. It appears that school had not yet begun. Now, we see the cause of the response activity. We hope the struck child is okay.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is time for Westfield Police Officers to be assigned to these high volume school crossing locations. The safety of our children is at stake. When Mayor Skibitsky claims the town is doing "More with Less" he forgets that reducing public safety staffing levels will reduce public safety. You don't get "more" safety with "less" police officers and fireman on the job.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I do not agree. Decent crossing should be able to handle the job. It does not take highly trained officers to cross kids. Can't react to every incident as if it is a major trend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, referred to as the MUTCD by traffic safety engineers, traffic safety officers and others, clearly states that civilian crossing guards are not to direct traffic as a police officer does. Their purpose is to pick a gap in traffic, stop the traffic and safely cross pedestrians. Once the pedestrians have safely crossed, they are not supposed to be standing in the street directing traffic. While you provide opinion on what a "decent" crossing should be able to do, the fact of the matter is that crossing guards are not authorized to direct traffic

      Delete
    2. They need to put a stop to them directing traffic before it becomes a major trend. One accident involving a chilod is one to many.

      Delete
    3. It is becoming a trend. Why wait for a tragedy? Town officials need to be proactive and not reactive with regards to pedestrian safety. If traffic directing is needed at an intersection due to pedestrian and vehicular volume, a police officer is necessary. It is not a question of whether or not the civilian crossing guard does a "good job" crossing children. A crossing guards job is not to direct traffic in a law enforcement sense and that includes not directing motorists through stop signs..

      Delete
  4. Oh boy,looks like Lisa and Jason will be flapping their arms in the not to distant future. No more hanging out drinking coffee on the side of the road or at Tutti Baci.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your write if there was a cop there the sun wouldn't of gotten in the drivers eyes and no one would of been hit. Maybe people need to take more responsibility for themselves especially as pedestrians. Don't assume cause ur in a crosswalk your safe and drivers can see you. I cross the street all the time without the help of a cop I've also never been hit. These crossing guards do a great job with all that's going on but maybe we should put a cop at every intersection in town then no one will ever be hit by a car ever again. I closing look both ways before crossing the street even when someone tells you it's ok to cross. Trust me its safe to jump of the bridge trust me a cop said its safe and everyone else is doing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is no need for a police officer at every intersection where children cross the street. There is a need for a police officer at every intersection where there is a need for traffic directing to alleviate congestion and backup down streets.
      A police officer at the intersection of Grove St & Rahway Ave would not have been able to control the sun glare but may have handled the situation up to the time of the accident a bit differently. Not knowing all the facts of what occurred today leave open the door to speculation and "Monday morning quarterbacking." What I do know is that a police officer is properly trained in directing traffic which includes using verbal commands such as "You can cross now" to direct pedestrians, and hand signals to direct motorists. Another rule of thumb taught is to be sure traffic has come to a stop before giving the verbal command to a pedestrian to cross. In the event there is a car approaching in the distance, it is incumbent on the traffic control officer to take every step necessary to make sure that the vehicle sees a hand signal to stop or is slowing to a stop before the verbal command to a pedestrian to cross the street is given.

      Delete
  6. Maybe they could make use of the officer sitting in his car near Lord and Taylor--he is doing nothing all day--what a waste of money! Even if Lord and Taylor is paying him--total waste

    ReplyDelete
  7. Where was the crossing guard when the kids were hit? Police officers are not taught how to direct traffic. I think we should bring Officer Beane up from Florida to train crossing guards and The Police Department (ALL OF THEM)how to direct traffic, that would be taxpayer money well spent!

    Also, kids could walk to school (or ride a bike) and then we'll take cars out of the equation all together!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Agree on both counts! Floyd Beane was a pro.

    ReplyDelete