Cranford Cops Enhance Pedestrian Enforcement

CRANFORD, NJ - A few days after a 13-year-old child on a bicycle was struck by a car, the Cranford Police Department has stepped up their enforcement to ensure safety for both pedestrians and motorists.

The Cranford Police Department conducted a Pedestrian Enforcement Detail Tuesday at Walnut Avenue and Chestnut Street and will be out at other locations throughout the week.

Authorities noted that New Jersey law requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. According to the Cranford Police, the two most frequent questions they are asked related to the New Jersey Stop for Pedestrians law are:

Q: Can a pedestrian just step out in front of me when I'm driving even if it is not safe for me to stop?

A: The New Jersey law states that No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop. When we conduct Pedestrian Enforcement Details we do not step out into the crosswalk if any vehicle is closer than 162' on a 25 MPH roadway. This is an accepted distance that provides more than enough time for a vehicle to stop for the pedestrian.

Q: Is it a violation for cars to drive past me as I am waiting to cross?

A: This one of the biggest misconceptions of the law we hear about. The law states the driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk. The law does not cover requiring a motorist to stop for a pedestrian waiting to cross the street. Although this would be the right thing to do.

Authorities noted that traffic safety is a shared responsibility, where both drivers and pedestrians must obey the laws.

"There is no one cause of crashes involving pedestrians," officials said. "Pedestrians and motorists must both do their part to keep pedestrians safe."

Additional information can be found at at this web address with tips for motorists and pedestrians.

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