Look Up: Signs Urge Pedestrian Caution at Crossings

The Middlesex County Comprehensive Traffic Safety and the New Brunswick Police Department have partnered on a new campaign to spray paint signage at street crossings around town specifically geared for those with an affinity for walking and texting.

The brightly colored wordage of "Look Up - Be Safe" can be seen at the corner of Bayard Street and Kirkpatrick Street, and will be painted on the ground at other busy intersections in the coming weeks.

The purpose of the signage is to get people to look up while they are crossing the street to avoid injury, according to Freeholder H. James Polos.

"Researchers at Ohio State University found that pedestrian cell phone usage has doubled since 2005," according to a press release from the county. "In 2010, more than 1,500 ended up in emergency rooms with injuries related to using a cell phone while walking.

The age group most at risk for injuries while walking and texting are young people between the ages of 16-25, Polos said.

Sgt. Raymond Trigg of New Brunswick Police said the department is still planning on the location of the signage, but is looking at such locations as the intersection of George Street and Albany Street, Nichol Avenue and George Street, Livingston Avenue, Easton Avenue and College Avenue. 

The county and city also plan to bring marketing campaigns about distracted walking to Rutgers University and Middlesex County College, Polos said.