Several members of the public urged the Bergen County Board of Commissioners to treat the county's forthcoming Local Safety Action Plan as a vehicle to prioritize non‑motorized safety, reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions and redesign roads to reduce speeds and serious injuries.
Pat Deroma, a resident, said recent extreme heat and storm events show infrastructure must adapt and called for less impermeable surface, more active‑transportation options and policies that reduce carbon emissions from cars.
"Our transportation network is fundamentally built around cars. That network is exacerbating flooding and excessive heat that threatens the health, safety, and property of our residents," Deroma said, urging commissioners to view the safety action plan as a "jumping off point" for more creative solutions.
Chris Nowell (spelled during public comment as Chris Noel), a public commenter, urged the county to adopt a target of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries and to ensure engineers implement policy goals. "If a road is wide and straight, people will drive fast regardless of the posted speed limit," Nowell said, advocating design changes such as narrowing streets and adding mid‑block crossings where people naturally cross.
Both speakers argued that engineering standards are guidelines and that elected officials should set policy goals to achieve equitable outcomes for vulnerable road users. Their remarks were delivered during the public‑comment period; speakers repeatedly framed safety decisions as political and policy choices that the board should make.
No formal action was taken during the meeting; the board did not vote on the local safety action plan at this session.