Officials ask police to enforce speed limits

West Milford council members agreed on the need to address the number of motor vehicle accidents on Macopin and Union Valley roads but differed on the source of the problem and what action to take.

The council discussed the issue at the end of last year without reaching a resolution.

Four councilmen say lowering the speed limits will not solve the problem while two others favor lower limits.

A motion to lower speed limits made at the Jan. 4 council meeting was supported by Councilwomen Marilyn Lichtenberg and Ada Erik.

Councilmen David Marsden, Kevin Goodsir, Matthew Conlon and Michael Chazukow agreed that much of the blame for the accidents lies with inattentive driving.

Mayor Michele Dale said police will be asked to enforce traffic rules while the council continues to review whether to lower speed limits or take other action.

While Lichtenberg and Erik would like to address inattentive driving, they also want lower speeds on commuter roads through residential neighborhoods.

“Start enforcing the speed limits,” Erik said. “There are signs designating traffic speeds in place and they need to be obeyed. Those signs tell the maximum speed a person should be driving. People are ignoring signs and flying along our roads like they are competing in the Indiana 500. When they see a police car, they slow down.”

While driving on Macopin Road at the speed limit, drivers behind her speed past her, crossing double no-passing lines, a traffic violation, Erik said.

There are also dangerous conditions at Cannistear and Henderson Road at the township’s border with Stockholm, she pointed out. And residents’ requests for help there have been heard for many years but no action was taken, she added.

Erik also criticized drivers who use cell phones.

Marsden said there is no problem if people drive at the posted speed limits. A local study by police showed that 90 percent of the motor vehicle crashes were caused by inattentive driving with just 10 percent the result of speeding, he said.

Charlene Staub was among several residents who addressed the council with concerns about speeding cars in the neighborhoods along Macopin Road.

Staub, a 28-year resident, said drivers speed past her home on Macopin at 55 mph, ignoring the posted 25-mph speed limit.

She mentioned the intersection of Arundel and Macopin roads, where visibility is poor for drivers trying to enter Macopin.

Her daughter refuses to visit her because of the dangers presented by speeding drivers, she said.

Another Macopin Road resident said he has to wait for southbound vehicles to pass before he can safely access his mailbox. Slowing down the traffic would be of great benefit to the residents, he added.