South Brunswick Launches Crash Reduction Initiative On Route 1

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The South Brunswick Police Department has implemented a crash reduction plan, as deadly crashes continue to rise on Route 1.

According to Police Chief Raymond Hayducka, data shows that Route 1 is a major contributor to crashes not just in South Brunswick. Fatal crashes are up over 27 percent in the first four months of 2024, according to data from the police department.

Keeping in mind the increased number of crashes, Mayor Charlie Carley asked the Police Chief to implement the plan.

“Too many lives are being lost and we must put the resources and manpower to address it. I have directed the chief to coordinate with surrounding communities and State authorities to address the rise in fatal crashes,” Carley said.

According to police data, Central Jersey leads the state in fatal crashes, with Middlesex and Monmouth Counties seeing the most deaths.

The police department’s Traffic Safety Bureau conducted a review of all fatal crashes in the past two years. The study identified the contributing factors that led to crashes. Here’s what led to the crashes:

• Speed: 30%
• Failure to stop at red light or stop sign: 25%
• DWI: 19%
• Not wearing seatbelt: 19%
• Distracted driving: 19%
• Unsafe lane change: 13%
• Reckless Driving: 6%
• Driver fatigue/medical: 6%

Chief Raymond Hayducka said the crash reduction plan, called STOP – Stopping, Traffic, Obstacle, Problems, hopes to reduce the number of fatalities on the road.

"Right now the data is showing that Route 1 is a major contributor to the crashes, not just in South Brunswick. There are three components to any traffic safety plan – awareness, education, and enforcement. We are taking an aggressive approach with adding additional officers specifically targeting areas of concern,” Hayducka said.

According to police, in many crash cases, there was more then one contributing factor.

Traffic Safety Lieutenant Gary Holsten said most deaths on the road were preventable. “These deaths are preventable, but drivers need to take action. Simply wearing a seatbelt or stopping at a red light can make all the difference,” Holsten said.

“In South Brunswick, there is 7 miles of Route 1 with 12 intersections with traffic signals, drivers must follow the traffic signal. We are going to focus on the intersections, distracted driving and speed. This is your warning. Our efforts are going to keep ramping up in the coming days and weeks.”

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