Press Release: Families Remember Loved Ones and Demand Change on New Jersey’s Roads World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

Elizabeth, NJ —  Families of traffic crash victims, survivors and street safety advocates from Families for Safe Streets, the Vision Zero NJ Alliance, and Union County Connects all gathered on Sunday, November 16th at Elizabeth River Trailhead to honor lives lost to traffic crashes and demand urgent action from New Jersey’s leaders to make our streets safe for all. This commemoration, part of the global World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, shines a light on the growing crisis of traffic violence and calls for decisive leadership to prevent more senseless deaths. 

White flags honoring each life lost this year served as a backdrop to personal stories illustrating the profound toll of traffic violence on families and communities.

New Jersey faces a crisis, with 684 lives lost in traffic crashes in 2024 and 502 so far in 2025. The impacts fall disproportionately on those walking or biking – who account for over 30% of the traffic fatalities in New Jersey – as well as people of color and low-income communities. Earlier this year, Governor Murphy signed the New Jersey Target Zero Commission Bill — a historic step toward eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040. The commission is now developing a comprehensive statewide action plan, but advocates stress that plans alone will not save lives. Bold leadership, strong state funding, and swift action are urgently needed to turn this vision into reality.

“Fourteen years ago, my family’s life was forever changed when my 11-year-old son, Nikhil, was killed in a preventable car crash. Each life lost to traffic violence leaves a mark on families and communities. We have the power to create safer roads, to protect our loved ones, and to build a future where every life is valued and every journey is safe. Passing life-saving legislation is a moral imperative, and leadership must prioritize safety — only then can we truly reach zero traffic deaths. Together, we can ensure these lives were not lost in vain.” – said Sangeeta Badlani, Founder of Nikhil Badlani Foundation, Families for Safe Streets NJ and co-founder of Vision Zero NJ Alliance, who lost her son on June 11, 2011.

Advocates called on state leaders to:

• Fully implement New Jersey’s first-of-its-kind in the nation Target Zero Action Plan — with measurable, funded strategies to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2040.
• Pass the Traffic Crash Victims Bill of Rights (A5629/S4342) — to recognize victims of traffic violence and ensure they receive the dignity, justice, and financial support they deserve.

The event was attended by NJ Department of Transportation Commissioner Fran O’Connor, Department of Highway Traffic Safety Director Mike Rizol, State Senator Joseph Cryan, State Assemblywoman Rosaura Bagolie, Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski and City of Elizabeth Mayor Bollwage.

“As someone who was struck and run over by a van as a child growing up in Elizabeth, I know how a crash can change a family’s life forever.  Returning to Elizabeth on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to share my story was deeply personal. No child or family should ever endure the trauma of being injured in a crash or the pain of losing a loved one. As the primary sponsor of Traffic Crash Victims Bill of Rights (A5629), I am committed to ensuring that survivors and their families have the care, support, and voice they deserve as we work together to build safer roads for every New Jerseyan.” – Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie

“It’s one thing to talk about what a victim may feel. It’s another to hear it. I have to say thank you to Sangeeta, to her family, and to the Foundation. Nikhil still lives – he lives each and every day and he lives this morning through all of us, and through her hard work. I thank her for bringing him into our lives. It’s so important.” – State Senator Joseph Cryan

“We can honor the lives that were cut short in roadway crashes by recommitting ourselves to preventing these tragedies from happening to anyone else. Together with our partner agencies, and through the work of the Target Zero Commission, the New Jersey Department of Transportation is taking the steps needed to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries in New Jersey by 2040.” – Francis O’Connor, Commissioner, NJ Department of Transportation

“As we honor those we’ve lost today, I ask something of each of you. I ask that we carry their memories forward, not only in our hearts, but in the way we choose to live. Let them be the reason we speak up and ask others to slow down, stay focused, or refuse to let someone drive impaired.” – Michael Rizol, New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety

“We are honored to have led the Vision Zero NJ Alliance in finally passing the Target Zero bill, creating the first true statewide, multiagency Vision Zero plan in the nation. This is a direct result of those directly impacted by the traffic violence epidemic telling their stories, putting a face to the hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injuries suffered each year in New Jersey. We are now starting to see a shift in how our leaders think and talk about this issue. It inspires us to continue this work – because we still have a long way to go until we reach zero.” – Corey Hannigan, Active Transportation Program Manager, Tri-State Transportation Campaign; Chair, Vision Zero NJ Alliance

“Today our hearts are heavy with the loss of our loved ones from traffic violence. The best way we can honor their memories is to take action at every level of government to make our streets safer for all users. We need our state leaders to pass the Victims Bill of Rights and implement the upcoming Target Zero Commission’s Action Plan now. Traffic violence is not inevitable. Taking bold action and making traffic safety our priority across the state is the only way to end this crisis.” – Debra Kagan, Executive Director, New Jersey Bike & Walk Coalition

“The Target Zero Commission has already elevated the conversation and helped prioritize safety on our roads, but there is a lot still to be done.  Annual World Day of Remembrance ceremonies serve as powerful reminders of the importance of this work, and I look forward to a day when they are no longer needed.  Zero is the only acceptable number.” – Stephen Dunn, President, Union County Connects

“In Union County we are committed to the safety of all of our residents. We support Target Zero, and we participate in Safe Streets for All. We look forward to the day we will no longer have to have gatherings like this. We must consider the lives of all around us. Today we honor those who have been lost, and we honor the memory by changing behaviors and changing those around us. We can do it together.” – Bette Jane Kowalski, Union County Commissioner 

“It’s time to honor with action—fully implement the Target Zero Action Plan, pass the Traffic Crash Victims Bill of Rights, and end traffic violence now. Because everyone deserves to make it home.” – Michelle Robinson, Families for Safe Streets NJ Member, who lost her father Bruce Morlack on December 6, 2024.

“I speak as someone who could be next, and as someone who has been a victim of traffic violence, and someone who has just recently lost a loved one to traffic violence. The loss is immeasurable. Words can’t convey what you feel on a daily basis, especially when there are safety measures available. We know what to do, we just need leaders to implement them.” – Nadir Abdul-Haqq, Families for Safe Streets NJ Member, who lost his brother Wajih Abdul-Haqq on August 4, 2025.

“No matter how much it hurts to tell our stories of our loved ones dying tragically & supporting those who have survived road crashes, we have to. We have turned our grief into action. It’s too late for my family but not for yours. We need the Target Zero Commission Action Plans to move forward. We have to get to ZERO deaths on our NJ roadways by 2040 because ZERO is the only acceptable number.” – Wendy Kukowski, Families for Safe Streets NJ Member, who lost her life partner Oscar Zanoni, who was instantly killed on December 3, 2020, when struck by a tractor trailer while riding his bike in Edison.

“Traffic violence is pervasive in Jersey City and around the world. There have been 501 deaths so far this year in New Jersey, and 4 in Jersey City, each one leaving incalculable impacts on our communities. Each crash that takes a life is the result of a series of choices about what to prioritize in our cities. It is our responsibility as a community to make new choices that make sure nobody else is killed on our streets. We need to stay focused on the goal of zero traffic deaths and serious injuries. Many of the issues we face today are too large or too challenging to tackle at a local level, but traffic safety is not. Our elected officials at the state, county, and local level can make choices that will reduce crashes and save lives. It is perhaps the easiest choice for elected officials to make today. The best way to honor those we’ve lost is to ensure that it never happens again.” – Jack Blashchishen, Cycling Programs Manager, Bike JC