Share Traffic Concerns by Taking New Mercer County Survey!

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Do you feel that local traffic signals are poorly timed, that roads are not well lit, that bicyclists don’t have safe lanes on all County roads, that we need to reduce truck traffic and pollution, or have other concerns about traffic in Mercer? According to a communication sent out earlier this week by the West Windsor Township, Mercer County is studying ways to improve traffic operations and reduce congestion in our area. Mercer County residents should take this survey to share their thoughts with County representatives so that we can benefit from safer and more climate friendly roads.

In 2024 alone, NJ.gov reports 34 fatal car accidents in Mercer County, three of which occurred in West Windsor. Now, only about one month into 2025, three more fatal accidents have been reported in Mercer. Several of these accidents have been tied to a lack of adequate safety measures, especially at night, when pedestrians and bicyclists are at even greater risk because there isn’t sufficient street lighting and visible signage, or lights and signs in the area have fallen into disrepair.

To make matters worse, the EPA reports that greenhouse gas emissions from transportation account for 28% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. All the while, traffic delays exacerbated by broken traffic signals have been found to further worsen air pollution, as affirmed by a study for PubMed Central, since more frequent stops and starts and longer idling lead to higher amounts of vehicle emissions. Beyond improving these signals, the best way to reduce emissions is to reduce the number of cars on the road by using bikes and other modes of transportation that don’t produce greenhouse gases, especially for shorter journeys. However, without wider and more consistent bike lanes, fewer people feel safe making this necessary transition. And as noted by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, larger vehicles like trucks contribute to a large proportion of motor vehicle accidents (in addition to emitting more greenhouse gases), especially in areas where lanes are too narrow, making it even more unsafe for bicyclists and pedestrians to travel.

Poor lighting, delayed traffic signals, narrow lanes, huge trucks, and disappearing bike lanes are more than just daily annoyances—they contribute to an unsafe local environment with an increased likelihood of car accidents and excessive greenhouse gas emissions that add to the climate crisis. Calling these specific areas and problems in Mercer to our representatives’ attention through surveys like this one increases the likelihood of these issues being addressed efficiently and effectively. And even outside of governmental action, we owe it to each other and our community to be more conscious of our travel choices and aware of the impact we are having every time we turn our engines on.