Petitioners Seek Signatures Urging Lower Speed, Traffic Signal

COURT HOUSE — Small, multi-colored signs are dotting yards around the county seat, many along Shunpike Road, urging a 40 mph speed limit and traffic light at Shunpike and Oyster roads.
On Sat., Jan. 8, as heavy snow fell, Daniel Mihal, whose wife and daughter were broadsided at the Oyster-Shunpike road intersection in October, was hand delivering fliers urging Court House residents and others to attend a Wed., Jan. 19 meeting at 6 p.m. in Middle Township Hall.
The campaign to lower the speed limit on the county road and place a signal grew from a number of fatal accidents on the road, and other very serious motor vehicle crashes.
A group of lower speed limit advocates attended the Nov. 1 Middle Township Committee meeting and the Nov. 9 freeholders meeting.
At each, Mihal and others cited accidents that were largely caused by speeding vehicles on the two-lane road.
Petitioners hope to gather 1,000 names on their on-line document:
petitionbuzz.com/petitions/shunpike to present to officials to prove their point for the need of a lower speed limit.
As of Sun., Jan. 9, they had 270 names.
The flier Mihal delivered gives the above address and urges, “Mark your calendars” for the municipal meeting.
Mihal told the Herald he had met with County Engineer Dale Foster and found him to be receptive to the group’s concerns.
Middle Township police have embarked on a “zero tolerance” campaign along the road, with signs posted warning of strict enforcement.
The group’s petition website states:
“The residents of Cape May County want to make Shunpike Road in Middle Township safer. There have been too many accidents and too many deaths on the stretch of road between Shell Bay and Indian Trail Road. We have asked the officials of Middle Township and the Board of Freeholders to make changes necessary to make the road safer. We’d like to have a reduced speed limit, cleared lines of sight at intersections, and traffic lights installed where needed. The township and county officials have been receptive and have already begun some of the work. A survey by an engineering firm should take place soon.
If you like to join us in our mission to stop the accidents and deaths on Shunpike Road, please sign the petition below. Your name will be added to the almost 600 names we have so far. The county and township need to hear from us to know where we need safer roads.”