Well, the recent federal study crowned New Jersey with an undesirable distinction as the most dangerous state in the nation for pedestrians.

According to an analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Pedestrians account for 30% of those killed in fatal accidents in the Garden State.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer today announced a new pedestrian safety strategy using roughly $2 million in federal money to build things like crosswalks, pedestrian bridges and safer sidewalks throughout North Jersey.

Meanwhile, in Camden County this week, the attorney general announced a new traffic safety program to prevent deaths along one of the state's most dangerous roads, the White Horse Pike, where, according to state data, there have been more than 11,000 crashes over the last decade and a half.

Ted Goldberg reports on the plan and why safety officials believe it'll help.

If you've ever driven or walked along White Horse, Pike and thought it seemed like a dangerous road, you're not wrong.

Since January 2010, there have been 11,251 crashes on the Whitehorse Pike in Camden County.

Of those crashes, 3894 caused injuries, which included 158 serious injuries and 80 fatalities.

Eight people died last year from crashes on White Horse Pike.

So expect to see more police here over the next six months thanks to a $400,000 in federal funds, the dozen or so police departments along this road will be able to pay overtime so officers can monitor this road.

And there will be a noticeable increase in police presence along the White Horse Pike.

And we are asking everyone to be conscious of their surroundings, drive safely and carefully to assist us in accomplishing our goals of safer roadways for our residents.

According to police, more than half of accidents on this road involve driver inattention or driver distraction.

So as much as you can expect police to give out more tickets on this road.

There's also an educational component here.

Distracted driving and aggressive driving is not just another statistic.

Here's a harsh reality that we must confront immediately before another life is lost.

I have extended invitations to traffic safety partners across this region who are eager to contribute by raising awareness in your community and in your schools.

Potential danger can be avoided by drivers and pedestrians simply by being aware of their surroundings.

Situational awareness is crucial.

We all have times when we're late to work or to an appointment or to pick up or drop off our kids.

We're all human.

Deaths from traffic accidents aren't unique to Camden County.

State data says 621 people were killed across New Jersey last year, a figure that includes people in cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.

While this was less than the previous year, it's still far too many.

We want that number to be zero.

Drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists deserve to be able to travel safely.

We must instill in ourselves and future generations the importance of committing our individual attention while driving.

We must educate ourselves and our loved ones about the dangers of distracted driving and the devastating impact it can have.

As far as the percentage of traffic deaths.

About 30% of all traffic deaths are bicyclists and pedestrians.

And yet we spend only a tiny fraction of our transportation dollars on making these roads safer.

Jon Boyle is the research director for the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia.

He's well aware of the dangers posed to people biking on White Horse Pike.

There is a tendency for drivers to speed through there.

And on the flip side, there are absolutely no accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians along this road.

He would also like to see physical changes to this road, something not addressed by this new initiative.

For it to be sustainable, we need to have something that slows just slows the cars down and make it easier for people to walk or bike along and across.

The initiative lasts for six months.

Camden County prosecutor Grace McAuley says the best way to measure success is simple.

Whether or not there are fewer accidents and fewer people getting killed on this dangerous stretch of road in the county.

In Waterford Township, I'm Ted Goldberg.

NJ Spotlight News.