I am writing because I am tired of watching our streets turn into a “free-for-all” where the rules of the road are treated as optional suggestions.
We all see the same asinine behavior every single day: drivers cutting across three lanes of traffic to make a right from the far-left lane, or people flying into a left-turn-only lane just to bypass traffic and cut everyone off. It’s dangerous, it’s selfish, and it’s become the norm because there are simply no consequences.
It’s the old saying—give someone an inch, and they’ll take a mile. When people realize they won’t get a ticket for reckless behavior, they start driving like they own the road. We complain about drivers blowing past school buses with stop signs out, but why are we surprised? If the “small” laws aren’t enforced, why would anyone follow the big ones?
There are constant “rumblings” in town that there is a lack of political will to actually enforce the law or hand out tickets. Whether those rumors are true or not, the result is the same: a culture of impunity. Yet, the moment State Troopers show up to do the job our own department won’t, everyone is “up in arms.”
We wonder why surrounding towns look at us and say, “We don’t want that here.” It’s because of the way we act behind the wheel. If we want to be respected as a community, we have to start acting like one. That means the “hidden powers” need to let the police do their jobs, and we as drivers need to wake up before this “me-first” attitude causes a tragedy we can’t take back.
Sincerely,
A Fed-Up Resident
The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Lakewood Alerts. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
You are correct. If you would know the amount of drivers that drive right past a red light and stop signs, and although I have the right of way , I need to stop for them! It is perilous. WHERE ARE THE COPS?
Yes, and I’d like to add jumping reds and stop signs too. To be clear, this permissive attitude does not belong to one ethnicity or race. We see it across the board .
I only disagree with his/her last line: “and we as drivers need to wake up before this “me-first” attitude causes a tragedy we can’t take back.” I disagree because it already HAS caused tragedy we can’t take back. People’s lives have been altered forever from the insanity. Better worded, “before it causes additional tragedies…”
Let us all do our part to respect the rules of the road and the people on the road.
I agree that there is a serious lack of police presence on our roadways. Illegal parking is happening everywhere—even on corners—and it is extremely dangerous. This situation in our township has become unacceptable, and it feels like no one is taking action.
This lack of enforcement is contributing to the high number of accidents. There are hardly any tickets being issued for illegal parking, which only encourages more reckless behavior. It is especially concerning to see people parking in handicapped spots without any consequences.
We need more police enforcement to put an end to this ongoing problem. In addition, Lakewood Township needs leadership that will take these safety concerns seriously and act immediately.
There should also be consideration given to improving major roads like Route 9 and Route 88 to better handle traffic. At the same time, development along these already busy roadways should be carefully controlled to avoid making conditions even worse.
Unfortunately, “our” driving habits are atrocious pretty much everywhere. It isn’t limited to just Lakewood. During the summer months, I have heard non jews refer to driving on route 17 as driving along “the Hasid 500”.
The answer is probably a maggid shiur spending half hour less on a Birchas Shmuel and replacing it with a shiur in Mesilas Yesharim or Orchos Tzadikim.
Sin’as Hatorah comes in many shapes and sizes.
100 hundred percent wrong
What is 100% wrong?
What is wrong? The fact that so many people don’t obey the laws of the road? Because that is a fact
I’m surprised the biggest issue on the roads here hasn’t been mentioned yet. Almost every driver holding a cell phone and using it while driving. It is beyond dangerous. One woman from our community who was using her phone while driving ended up killing an innocent child in her backseat, she was arrested, families were destroyed, and we still have not learned the lesson unfortunately. Where are the cops indeed? The number one problem on the road here is cell phone use while driving. Just take a look on the 9 for a few minutes and you will see almost every driver is holding a phone to their ear. I am shocked at the people that I see doing it, it’s everyone, even older yeshivish people with long white beards, who should definitely know better. It is dangerous, it is deadly, it is against the law, it is a terrible chillul Hashem. Where are the Rabbonim who need to speak out on this and asser it???
You are completely correct in everything except you don’t need to go out to Rt 9. I see it everyday just standing at my daughter’s bus stop and the sheer number of people doing it is astonishing.
Please. be careful what you accuse others of. you can make your point without putting blame that isn’t necessarily the facts of what occured.
Please remove this post.
I agree! Where are the Rabbonim? They talked about the internet, about AI, about smartphones… but what does all that matter? I know it means a lot to a lot of people, but it shouldn’t mean more the physical safety of the entire community.
Finally someone got it right! the question is not “where are the cops”? It’s “Where are the Rabbonim?”
And the answer is that they are busy with sheitels, concerts and Artificial Intelligence.
As a woman who was nearly killed by a driver who ran a stop sign said…
“You almost killed me. And then they would call an asifa for tznius!”
Excellent letter and I second everything you said. So many people throughout town feel this way yet still nothing is done about it.
I agree! And what’s with people parking in the wrong direction? It’s very dangerous to pull out when you’re parked like that because you have more blind spots than when you park properly. I’ve seen people drive dangerously in front of police who have done nothing to stop them. And I think the problem lies with the police giving too much leeway. I know so many people who think that the rabonim are telling the police what to do.
What a disgusting condescending letter about the general Lakewood community. Something this low could only be published on YWN’s Lakewood alerts. Fech!
Just hide under a rug…
That will help when someone blows a stop sign because they are late for something and does something irreversible.
Are “hidden powers” askonim?
Not from Lakewood but the few times a year I find myself heading there i try to go in without the stereotype of Lakewood driving in my head but as soon as im actually driving in lakewood it’s actually tragic the amount of disrespect how oblivious and wild the driving is especially the younger drivers cutting me off running lights etc its really gatta stop not a way to stay neutral with the neighboring people.
Author is spot on. The way frum people behave causes anti semitism and hatred for Jews. Bring on the State Troopers and clean up Lakewood and its law violators.