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A petition, which was launched on Monday, already has nearly 1,000 signatures and aims to address safety and traffic issues on Allen Road. BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Safety and traffic concerns on Allen Road have been raised once again after a woman was hit by a car on Friday. One resident, Sanjay Bery, launched a petition on Monday looking to address these issues and already has more than 750 signatures in less than 24 hours. "We live in Basking Ridge, Bernards, NJ, that offers a tranquil environment for families and individuals to thrive. However, as residents of this community, we face the increasing danger and inconvenience of traffic congestion and accidents on Allen Road. This crucial thoroughfare has become a significant concern for us all, as it directly affects our daily lives, commutes, and overall safety," wrote Bery on the change.org petition. On Friday, a 42-year-old Basking Ridge woman who was using a marked crosswalk and crossing Allen Road was hit by a Toyota. She remains hospitalized in critical condition, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald. Read More: Basking Ridge Woman Walking In Crosswalk Hit By Car, Hospitalized In Critical Condition The petition proposes several actions to mitigate these dangers including: Implementing traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, rumble strips, lowering speed limit, enhanced traffic signals/stop signs, automated speed enforcement, etc. Increased police presence during could also deter reckless driving behaviors, contributing to a safer environment More lights on Allen Road, pedestrian crossings at every development entrance, pedestrian crossings with flashing lights, etc. "Moreover, initiating a community dialogue with local authorities can help generate valuable insights and support more comprehensive and tailored strategies. We are calling upon the Bernards (Basking Ridge) Township & Somerset County officials to prioritize this issue and start working on a long-term traffic management plan that ensures safety for all road users," said Bery. To learn more about the petition or to sign it, visit change.org/p/address-traffic-and-safety-issues-on-allen-road. Allen Road Accidents, Previous Petition This is the second time residents in the area have launched a petition looking to address safety concerns on Allen Road. In 2016, Doug Dolgin started a petition after being hit by a speeding car on Allen Road at the intersection of Patriot Hill/Hamilton Woods on Dec. 15, 2015. He suffered a severely damaged left leg, requiring five major surgeries in 14 days, and his two dogs were killed. On Oct. 6, 2016, Beom Sohn, 56, from Basking Ridge, was also hit by a car when he was crossing Liberty Ridge Road at Allen Road around 7:50 a.m., according to Bernards Township Police. Sohn was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he died the next morning from his injuries. On Sept. 10, 2019, around 6:50 p.m., a bicyclist was riding in the shoulder near Hamilton Road when a walker with a dog got close to the biker, Bernards Township Police said. The biker moved toward the boundary line, which separates the bike lane from the roadway, to avoid the dog when he was hit by a car, according to police. The bicyclist did not report any injuries at the time of the report. On April 13, 2022, a 2013 White Lexus SUV had stopped at Hamilton Road and turned left onto westbound Allen Road when it hit a 71-year-old man near the crosswalk, said police. The pedestrian had serious injuries and was taken to Morristown Hospital for treatment. A pedestrian safety and vehicle speed study was then conducted by Somerset County on Allen Road in Bernards Township. Read More: Is Allen Road Dangerous? County Conducts Study In June 2022, Somerset County sought input from residents for safety improvements at the intersection of Allen Road and Somerville Road in Bernards Township. In December 2022, Somerset County proposed a roundabout at the intersection of Allen Road and Somerville Road. This was opposed by the Bernards Township Committee. "Basically at the end of the day, we heard from a lot of the residents up in the hills and the vast super ultra majority wanted absolutely nothing to do with this roundabout," said Mayor James Baldassare at the time. "That being the case we are not going to go forward with it and its really just that simple." Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
