Press Release: Gaudreau Brothers Tragedy Sparks Urgent Call for Street Safety

In the wake of the tragic deaths of NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, we need immediate action from our leaders to improve street safety. The Gaudreau brothers, both beloved figures in the sports community, were fatally struck yesterday evening in a devastating, preventable crash while riding their bikes in New Jersey. Johnny Gaudreau played for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This heartbreaking loss underscores the urgent need for comprehensive street safety measures to protect all road users—people walking, riding bicycles, and driving alike. In 2023, over 40,000 people were killed on American roads, 606 of whom were killed in New Jersey – of which 33% were vulnerable road users (people traveling outside vehicles). US roadways have grown more deadly during the last two decades, especially for those outside of cars. 2022 saw the most pedestrians killed in the US in 40 years, and deaths among those biking rose 44% from 2010 to 2020.

The deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau are a stark reminder that current safety measures – in New Jersey and across the United States – are insufficient and must be dramatically strengthened to prevent further loss of life. 

This is why we urgently call for NJ to pass the Target Zero Commission bill (S361/A1476) at the state level. The bill will establish a comprehensive plan to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on New Jersey’s roads by employing proven strategies and countermeasures. We demand that our leaders act now to prevent further tragedies and make our streets safe for everyone.

At the national level, we must pass HR 1668 – the Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act. This bill highlights the need to fill gaps in biking and walking networks and makes it easier for states and local governments to use Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) dollars as a “local match” to build safe bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure through HSIP and the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP).

“I am outraged by the senseless deaths of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were both killed by a drunk driver in New Jersey. These tragic and preventable losses are a direct result of our failure to take stronger action against reckless and impaired driving. How many more families must be shattered before we decide enough is enough?” said Sangeeta Badlani, Founder, Families for Safe Streets NJ and Vision Zero NJ Alliance “I lost my son, Nikhil, to a driver who ignored basic traffic laws. I refuse to accept that these deaths are just another statistic. We need tougher penalties for impaired driving, better enforcement of traffic laws, and a cultural shift that makes it clear: driving under the influence is not just a mistake — it’s a crime with deadly consequences. We also need to create safe infrastructure for people to bike and walk, ensuring that everyone, regardless of how they choose to travel, can do so safely. It’s time for our leaders and communities to act with urgency to prevent these tragedies and protect all road users.” 

“This tragedy was avoidable on so many levels. We are not going to achieve zero traffic deaths with cute messaging. We need safer roads, safer drivers and safer vehicles. Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were killed cycling on Salem County Route 551, a rural road with no shoulders and a 50 mph speed limit by a drunk driver who passed another driver on the right who was safely passing them.” said John Boyle, Research Director for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia and the Vision Zero NJ Alliance.

This horrible tragedy, the unnecessary deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, further demonstrates the urgent need for safe places for all of us to walk and bike without the fear of dying. To make that happen we need leadership at the state level to change direction by making safety the priority on our roads and by taking a serious approach to providing dedicated infrastructure that would provide cyclists and pedestrians with protection.” said Debra Kagan, Executive Director, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition. “We need action now and we need the passage of the Target Zero Commission bill (S361/A1476) to help stop this avoidable crisis of traffic violence on our streets.

“We cannot afford to wait any longer,” said Families for Safe Streets-Columbus member, Ginger Tornes “Our family friend, Linda Evans, was an athlete and a runner who participated in every Columbus Marathon since 1980. She was killed by a reckless driver while running on a street with no sidewalk. It shouldn’t take the grief of any community, mine or the Gaudreau’s, to serve as a catalyst for change. Our hearts go out to the Gaudreau’s and to the entire Columbus Blue Jackets community. Congress needs to pass HR1668 so we can better engineer streets and highways for moving everyone safely, not just maximizing vehicle throughput. We also need our leaders to implement stronger safety measures for vehicles, including requiring technology that detects distraction, inebriation, and speeding; finally, states and cities must allow automated enforcement systems to save lives. These are all proven ways to prevent death on our roadways.”