Nearly hit by a car in downtown Millburn

I'm still shaking because I was nearly hit by a car on Essex Avenue in downtown Millburn this afternoon.  Because I'm there frequently, I've found the downtown to be incredibly unfriendly towards pedestrians and I'm convinced it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed crossing either Millburn or Essex Avenue.  There seems to be zero enforcement by the police not only for drivers zooming past pedestrians trying to cross the crosswalks safely but also parking violations.  It seems like because these are both one way multi-lane roads that people treat them almost like a highway.  

Who would be the best to complain to about this?  Millburn police?  Mayor?  Township council?  All three?  I know there are mixed feelings in regards to South Orange police enforcement but at this point I'd love something like this in Millburn.  

Sorry to hear. Actually, I believe someone was struck and killed on Millburn Ave last year in the middle of town.

Major redesign of the downtown traffic pattern is going to start this summer to try to address the issues.  Streets will be narrowed,  some lefts prohibited,  corner sidewalks enlarged along with much more. Mostly to help pedestrian safety.  So the town is very aware there is an issue and moving to address it. 

If the driver committed a moving violation in almost hitting you, and if you got the license plate number, you can file a complaint with the police. This in my mind is the most direct attempt to do something about what happened. 

If you didn't get a plate # I guess you can complain generally to the MPD and/or raise the issue at a local board meeting or somesuch, but I see that as a secondary option.

Student_Council said:

If the driver committed a moving violation in almost hitting you, and if you got the license plate number, you can file a complaint with the police. This in my mind is the most direct attempt to do something about what happened. 

I don't know how a judge can find one guilty on a he said/she said scenario when there is no injury.

BG9 said:

Student_Council said:

If the driver committed a moving violation in almost hitting you, and if you got the license plate number, you can file a complaint with the police. This in my mind is the most direct attempt to do something about what happened. 

I don't know how a judge can find one guilty on a he said/she said scenario when there is no injury.

I agree - I did catch the license plate number and make/model of the car but I'm not sure if anything could be done based on no injury.

bramzzoinks said:

Major redesign of the downtown traffic pattern is going to start this summer to try to address the issues.  Streets will be narrowed,  some lefts prohibited,  corner sidewalks enlarged along with much more. Mostly to help pedestrian safety.  So the town is very aware there is an issue and moving to address it. 

I saw this on the town's website and I'm hoping it will not only improve driver/pedestrian safety but also improve the aesthetics of the downtown as well.  Still, summer is (unfortunately) months away and I think they need to try to do some type of enforcement.  I completely appreciate the Millburn police and the job they do but it's really disheartening to even see them illegally parking right next to a crosswalk while in Oscar's or Gian Marco's.  

One fix would be to return the streets to two-way traffic.  That would slow things down and restore the local aspect of the section of road.

max_weisenfeld said:

One fix would be to return the streets to two-way traffic.  That would slow things down and restore the local aspect of the section of road.

I 100% agree with you on this.  I just sent an email to the mayor about this so we'll see if I get a response or not on what (hopefully) they plan to do to step up enforcement between now and the summer.  

Making Millburn Ave. two ways has been widely discussed and has been advocated by former Committee member and Mayor Dan Baer. In the end that was rejected in favor of reducing the number of traffic lanes in the areas with the largest pedestrian traffic and  widening sidewalks an corner areas, prohibiting some left turns and adding pedestrian crossing areas to make crossing streets less daunting. The goal is the same - calmer traffic flow and an easier time for pedestrians. Looking at the plan I agree that is it a better solution than two way traffic, which by its nature is more chaotic. After all, two way Main Street is as big an issue as one way Millburn Avenue and Essex. I think by narrowing the traffic areas of all three streets and eliminating the most problematic left turns it will be huge improvement. And yes should look nicer, an area where downtown Millburn is sorely lacking.

http://www.twp.millburn.nj.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1874

bramzzoinks said:

Making Millburn Ave. two ways has been widely discussed and has been advocated by former Committee member and Mayor Dan Baer. In the end that was rejected in favor of reducing the number of traffic lanes in the areas with the largest pedestrian traffic and  widening sidewalks an corner areas, prohibiting some left turns and adding pedestrian crossing areas to make crossing streets less daunting. The goal is the same - calmer traffic flow and an easier time for pedestrians. Looking at the plan I agree that is it a better solution than two way traffic, which by its nature is more chaotic. After all, two way Main Street is as big an issue as one way Millburn Avenue and Essex. I think by narrowing the traffic areas of all three streets and eliminating the most problematic left turns it will be huge improvement. And yes should look nicer, an area where downtown Millburn is sorely lacking.




http://www.twp.millburn.nj.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1874

In my perfect world, I would love to see Millburn Avenue reduced to only two lanes going in both directions.  Given that Millburn and Essex are approximately three lanes, as a driver I will admit that it can be very difficult to see if a pedestrian needs to cross.  I'd also love to see the sidewalks widened not only for walking but for outdoor seating, benches and such.  Downtown Millburn seems to lack charm and I've always felt that this could help it.  I know this won't happen but I can dream...  

But that is basically exactly what is going to happen. 

bramzzoinks said:

 Streets will be narrowed,  some lefts prohibited,  corner sidewalks enlarged along with much more. Mostly to help pedestrian safety.  So the town is very aware there is an issue and moving to address it. 

wow.  even more reason not to drive thru millburn.  It's a nightmare of snarl with 3 lanes.  Can't imagine if there are only 2.

Maybe I'm misreading the documents but isn't Millburn Avenue going to stay one way?  I was hoping it could be a two way street to eliminate the highway feel.  I am happy to see the lanes reduced and enhanced sidewalks though.

One way yes.  But one way with only two travel lanes (and only one in some areas).  That should get rid of the highway feel and reduce the width that needs to be crossed. Sidewalks will be widened in many areas. 

The elimination of some left turns and reconfiguration of parking is supposex to help traffic flow better even thkugh slowed down and reduced to fewer lanes. 

I do like the idea of wider sidewalks.

going to 2 lanes or even one is going to create THE WORST bottleneck.  Unlike Maplewood village where people drive along Maplewood Avenue because the destination is the village, Millburn happens to be a village AND a through-way.  

ffof said:

bramzzoinks said:

 Streets will be narrowed,  some lefts prohibited,  corner sidewalks enlarged along with much more. Mostly to help pedestrian safety.  So the town is very aware there is an issue and moving to address it. 

wow.  even more reason not to drive thru millburn.  It's a nightmare of snarl with 3 lanes.  Can't imagine if there are only 2.

Exactely ffof: Millburn does not want you to drive thru.

BG9 said:

Student_Council said:

If the driver committed a moving violation in almost hitting you, and if you got the license plate number, you can file a complaint with the police. This in my mind is the most direct attempt to do something about what happened. 

I don't know how a judge can find one guilty on a he said/she said scenario when there is no injury.

Maybe true, but it could -- and I stress could -- be a way of taking a stand on principle, if the OP is motivated enough to go through the hassle of pursuing it. 

The offending driver would certainly take notice.

Maplewood has Instituted traffic calming on Springfield Ave and has discussed further steps.  And that is even more a through street than Millburn Ave. 

Years ago, in another state, I was almost struck in a crosswalk and caught the angry (?!) driver's license. I reported him to PD and they paid him a visit. I believe it was delivered as a warning and he claimed he didn't see me. I was satisfied that he had the wake up call he needed. It doesn't hurt to report it. Of course, Seattle took following road rules seriously.

bramzzoinks said:

Maplewood has Instituted traffic calming on Springfield Ave and has discussed further steps.  And that is even more a through street than Millburn Ave. 

different.  Maybe if there is talk of making Millburn Ave 2-way again, then possibly similar.  In addtion Millburn is a through-way and the town center. 

Glad to hear about the changes coming to Millburn downtown. I drive through there regularly, so will be affected by any bottleneck, but assuming that prediction comes true (which isn't actually a given), I think more pedestrian-friendly streets are worth the inconvenience to drivers. We've made a really big mistake in the last half-century or so in prioritizing cars over people, IMO. I'm glad to see signs of that reversing.

Cool, on page 20 it has "fancy parking" or as I call it smart parking, the only way to park. But based on the pics in the "How to park like a tool" thread most ppl can't even park front end in, LOL.

I drive through there a lot.  I really think eliminating the lefts will improve traffic flow more than reducing the number of lanes will hurt it. 

If they calm traffic any more in Millburn it could become comatose.  Then I fear that drivers would start doing dangerous things to just make progress.

mrmaplewood said:

If they calm traffic any more in Millburn it could become comatose.  Then I fear that drivers would start doing dangerous things to just make progress.

True. They might do something crazy, like take an Uber, or the train, or park and walk, instead of driving all over the place...

ffof said:

going to 2 lanes or even one is going to create THE WORST bottleneck.  Unlike Maplewood village where people drive along Maplewood Avenue because the destination is the village, Millburn happens to be a village AND a through-way.  

True but you could make that argument for many of the towns along the Midtown Direct such as South Orange, Summit, Chatham, Madison and Morristown.  They are destinations and there happen to be major roads that allow you to get other places in their respective town centers.  Springfield Avenue in Maplewood would be another example.  

Do Chatham, Summit and Madison get bottlenecks?  Absolutely.  However, I've never seen anyone in those towns travel at the speeds people do down Millburn or Essex Avenues.  I've also never felt more unsafe as a pedestrian than I do in Millburn.  In fact, when I'm in Morristown I've noticed that people will routinely stop for me if I indicate I'm in a crosswalk.  

problem with downtown millburn other than the speeders is the jaywalkers and the doubleparkers all of which bear culpability.  

I already avoid downtown Millburn as much as possible because of the traffic problems even though I regularly need to go to the far end of Millburn Ave.  I drive through Springfield instead, going up Morris Ave.  It definitely takes less time, is more predictable and far less aggravating.  Even when my goal is a place in Millburn (like Hudson Eye Physicians), I hate driving in that area.  

Interestingly enough, when I go to Wine Library I take SA/Morris up and Millburn Ave back.  Millburn Ave to WL is ridiculous at times.