Hoboken Hasn’t Had a Traffic Death in Four Years. What’s It Doing Right?

[subjectsigma]

> Wander down the wide, busy sidewalks of Washington Street, the city’s main strip, past the poke joints and (so-so) bagel shops

I will not stand for this slander against my favorite city!

Jokes aside, when I lived in Hoboken I was told that pedestrians have right-of-way no matter what. If someone looks like they're trying to cross the street you have to stop for them. I didn't really see how that could be true but most everyone I drove with acted like it was. I'm not sure how widespread this was but I think it definitely contributed to less traffic deaths.

EDIT: I should mention that this was on the side streets. Nobody stops for you on Washington. Almost got hit once or twice on that street.

[anikom15]

Pedestrians have right-of-way everywhere in the United States.

[msftie]

You need to keep your head on a swivel walking around Hoboken. My son got hit in his stroller in a well marked crosswalk by someone improperly passing a car that had stopped for us; I couldn’t even see it coming. Luckily he was not injured but it was extremely close to severe injury or death.

The last paragraph rings absolutely true for me. Me and my wife stagger walking in the street now, or I walk out first and the pull the stroller behind me if I’m alone.

I do commend them for making safety improvements, it is clear there’s been investment in pedestrian safety … but stay vigilant.

[dizhn]

Hoboken is famously a tiny town with a mile square total area. Perhaps it's not right to compare it to just any town.

(Most bars per square mile as well so that should maybe increase traffic related incidents.)

[_dain_]

Well every city is the conglomeration of many square mile towns.