This Day in History: 1937-06-12
Chief Smith was called out for five motorcycle accidents within two hours of this Saturday evening. Two of them were caused by the so-called “safety island” on the highway bridge over the Ramapo River. Township and police officials had protested in vain to the state about the island. It was supposed to divide the north and south-bound traffic as it crossed the bridge, and to keep cars from making left turns onto the ramp leading to Valley Road. Most cars did not see the elevated slab and would bounce off and be wrecked. It was said to be particularly deadly when the accident involved a motorcycle. At 1:15 a motorcycle driven by a River Edge man failed to see the safety island and ran into it. He and his fiancé were thrown off the cycle. He suffered severe lacerations to the head, arms, and hands. She remained in the hospital suffering from a fractured skull. Another motorcycle accident took place at 11:30 just north of the Ramapo River Bridge. The driver swerved to avoid a car parked on the roadway. In doing so he cut off another cyclist, throwing that vehicle out of control. Both cyclists and the passenger of one of them were treated at the hospital. Chief Smith said that he would appeal to the automobile clubs to get help in having the island removed. Two other motorcycle accidents were not investigated by the police since the victims went on their way before the lawmen arrived. (Bristow)