A Message from Chief Gallagher
What Would Your Mom—or a Loved One—Say If They Saw You Driving Like That?
Over the past 10 days, Bloomfield Township Police officers and crash investigators have responded to five serious traffic crashes resulting in multiple serious injuries and two tragic fatalities. These incidents have occurred on our major roadways, in our neighborhoods, and in areas frequented by families and children.
These are not just statistics. Behind every crash is a victim, a family, friends, and a community forever impacted by a momentary decision or lapse in judgment. These recent tragedies serve as a devastating reminder that traffic safety is everyone's responsibility.
As summer arrives and more residents spend time outdoors, we are seeing several emerging traffic safety concerns throughout the township:
Neighborhood Cut-Through Traffic
Residents continue to report an increase in cut-through traffic as navigation applications direct motorists through residential neighborhoods to avoid congestion on major roadways. While public streets remain open to lawful travel and we cannot restrict motorists from using them, we can and will address unsafe driving behaviors. Officers are actively targeting speeding, stop sign violations, distracted driving, and reckless driving.
E-Bikes and Electric Scooters
We are seeing an increase in complaints involving e-bikes and electric scooters being operated on sidewalks, pathways, and other pedestrian areas. While these devices provide recreation and transportation, operators must remember they share these spaces with walkers, runners, families with strollers, and seniors. Excessive speed, weaving through pedestrians, and failing to yield create dangerous situations that can lead to serious injuries.
We ask parents and riders to understand the laws governing these devices, respect others using public spaces, and operate them safely and responsibly.
Our Response & Partnerships
To address these concerns, the Bloomfield Township Police Department is deploying additional patrol officers and increasing traffic enforcement in both residential neighborhoods and major travel corridors. Officers will also be conducting enforcement and educational contacts regarding unsafe bicycle and scooter operations.
In addition, we are partnering with our law enforcement colleagues throughout the Woodward Corridor to promote safe driving and deliver a unified message: Traffic safety is everyone's responsibility.
Our goal is not simply enforcement; it is prevention. Every traffic stop and enforcement action is an opportunity to educate, prevent a crash, an injury, or a life lost.
A Simple Question to Ask Ourselves
One question we often ask our officers to remind them of their own driving behaviors is:
"What would your mom—or a loved one—say if they saw you driving like that?"
It's a simple question, but a powerful one. It encourages us to pause, think about our actions, and remember that our decisions behind the wheel affect everyone around us.
As members of this community, we should all ask ourselves the same question before speeding through a neighborhood, running a red light, sending a text message, driving aggressively, or operating a bicycle or scooter in an unsafe manner.
The answer may be enough to change a decision, prevent a tragedy, and save a life.
Slow down.
Put the phone away.
Follow the rules of the road.
Respect others who share our streets, sidewalks, and pathways.
Most importantly, remember that every person you encounter is someone's family member, friend, neighbor, or loved one.
Together, through awareness, education, and enforcement, we can make Bloomfield Township's roads, neighborhoods, and public spaces safer for everyone.
Chief James Gallagher
Bloomfield Township Police Department