STENDER / WISNIEWSKI / RAMOS / GIBLIN PEDESTRIAN SAFETY LEGISLATION CONTINUES ADVANCING

STENDER / WISNIEWSKI / RAMOS / GIBLIN PEDESTRIAN SAFETY LEGISLATION CONTINUES ADVANCING

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly members Linda Stender, John S. Wisniewski, Ruben J. Ramos, Jr., and Thomas P. Giblin sponsored to enhance pedestrian safety throughout New Jersey continues advancing toward law.

The bill recently passed the Assembly 76-0 and has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

“The number of pedestrian deaths in our state has been increasing instead of decreasing despite our best efforts in recent years,” said Stender (D-Union), vice chairwoman of the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee. “This measure will clearly give pedestrians the right of way so that school children and people on foot can safely walk to their destinations.”

The legislation (A-1329) – a result of the transportation panel’s 2006 hearings on New Jersey pedestrian safety – would provide pedestrians with a clear right to safely navigate New Jersey’s roadways.

Under the bill, motorists would be required to stop and remain stopped at a crosswalk while pedestrians pass through the driver’s lane of traffic, even if a light changes to give the motorist the right of way.

Current law only requires that motorists yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. The measure also would require motorists making a right turn at a red or yellow light, a stop sign or a yield sign to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians crossing within the adjacent crosswalk into which the motorist is turning.

It would amend current law to provide that when a collision occurs between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian in a crosswalk, driver negligence would be presumed to be the principal cause of the accident.

Drivers who fail to completely stop and remain stopped for pedestrians at any intersection where signal lights or police officers do not regulate traffic would be subject to increased fines from $100 to $200.

The bill also would increase the amount of money deposited into the “Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Education Fund” from $50 to $100.

“As the most densely populated state in the union, keeping our transportation network safe for both pedestrian and motorist use presents a unique challenge,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), the transportation committee’s chairman. “Increasing access to sidewalks and footpaths and stressing the mutual respect drivers and pedestrians must have for each other will help achieve that balance.”

“Motorists and pedestrians need a clear, simple set of rules governing their interactions, especially with summer weather almost upon us,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “This bill provides that clarity, simply stating the responsibilities of approaching a crosswalk when on foot or behind the wheel.”

“Requiring New Jersey drivers to stop – not yield – to pedestrians in crosswalks will better protect residents on foot,” said Giblin (D-Essex). “It also will act as a reminder to motorists that they share the road with pedestrians as well as other vehicles.”

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