The Toms River Police Department announced on Tuesday that it will have undercover police officers posing as pedestrians at certain crosswalks in town, and any motorists not making a complete stop for them will be ticketed.
Hosted by the township police department for officers from across the state, the pedestrian safety enforcement workshop, or "Cops in Crosswalks," will have undercover officers at crosswalks that have a high incidence of pedestrian/motorist conflicts, Capt. Mitch Little said in a release.
Motorists who fail to stop for the undercover officers will be stopped and ticketed by uniformed officers stationed nearby on foot, Little said.
The program is designed to educate motorists about safely sharing the roads with pedestrians, Little said.
“Through this unique enforcement effort, we can increase public awareness about pedestrian safety and ultimately reduce injuries and deaths,” Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said in the release.
A law adopted in April 2010 requires motorists to stop, and remain stopped, for pedestrians in a crosswalk, according to Little. Prior to that law, motorists were only required to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, Little said.
Motorists violating the new law face a $200 fine, courts costs and two points on their driving license, and may also be subject to 15 hours of community service and insurance surcharges, Little said.
Pedestrians may also be cited under the law for failing to use care when crossing a street, as they must obey signals and yield to right-of-way traffic if they are not within a crosswalk or at an intersection, Little said. Failure to comply with those laws carries a $54 fine plus court costs, Little said.
** we would all rather have PREVENTION then be on here saying Rest in Peace to the poor little 14 year old mexican killed by grandma lucy !! ( not funny)
http://www.nj.gov/lps/hts/pedestrian.html It is pretty much common sense on the part of the driver and pedestrian. I can think of so many better ways to utilize the police in TR. I drive my daughter to Hooper Ave Elem everyday we come from Fischer Boulevard. I am tailgated every single day! Every single day even in the School Zone area. This has been pretty consistent for the last 3 years yet I never see a car patrolling the School Zone even on Hooper which people use as a racetrack.
This is what it says for points: FAILURE TO YIELD TO A PEDESTRIAN --- 2 POINTS FAILURE TO YIELD TO A BLIND PERSON --- 0 POINTS Go figure, just make sure if you run down someone, THEY ARE BLIND LOL
How about a little responsibility on the part of pedestrians?
It may cut down on accidents too.