Interactive map: 14 pedestrians killed in Bergen County in 2011View Bergen County Pedestrian Fatalities, 2009-2011 in a larger map BERGEN COUNTY — Fourteen pedestrians were killed on Bergen County roads in 2011, according to an analysis of federal traffic fatality data.
The Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a group advocating for reduced car dependency, found that Essex Street in Hackensack and Route 17 were the deadliest roadways for pedestrians.
Fourty-one pedestrians died on Bergen County roads from 2009 through 2011, the analysis found. The 14 deaths in 2011 represented a slight decrease from 2010, when 15 pedestrians died.
Four pedestrians died on Essex Street from 2009 through 2011, more than any other road in Bergen County.
Hackensack Police in 2011 blamed sun glare for the accidents, the Record reported.
"That's a very busy area and everyone should take a moment to walk an extra block to an intersection controlled by a traffic signal," then-Capt. Tomas Padilla said.
Stephen Lo Iacono, city manager, told NJ.com that Hackensack and Bergen County had made improvements to the lighting, traffic signals and crosswalks at the intersections between Summit and Prospect avenues and Essex Street since 2011. More improvements are planned for the areas east and west of Hackensack University Medical Center, which drives much of the traffic volume on Essex, he said.
Since then, Hackensack has adopted a Complete Streets policy, which calls for roads to be designed to accommodate all modes of transportation, especially pedestrian, the Hackensack Chronicle reported.
The Tri-State Transportation Campaign has advocated for more local governments to adopt Complete Streets policies.
"It's the implementation of these Complete Streets policies that will have the biggest impact on safety," Janna Chernetz, New Jersey advocate for the campaign, said.