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In This Issue… |
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POLICY WATCH: New Jersey Adopts Stricter Crosswalk Rules  |
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A new New Jersey state law [went into effect April 1] that mandates that motorists must stop - and remain stopped - for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
In the past, motorists were required only to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. State Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Division of Highway Traffic Safety Director Pam Fischer are traveling the state Thursday to remind New Jerseyans of the change.
Motorists who violate the law face a $200 fine, plus court costs, and 2 points on their license. They can also be subject to 15 days of community service and insurance surcharges.
"For years, too many pedestrians have been dying in traffic accidents in New Jersey," Dow said. "With these changes to our law, motorists and pedestrians will no longer have to play a game of chicken when it comes to maneuvering on our roadways. The law brings new clarity that drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks, and pedestrians, in turn, must use due care and not jay-walk or step into traffic outside of those crossing points."
Pedestrians may also be cited under state law for failing to use due care when crossing. The law requires them to obey pedestrian signals and use crosswalks at signalized intersections as well as yield the right of way to traffic if they are not crossing within a crosswalk or at an intersection. Failure to comply with the law carries a $54 fine, plus court costs.
Fischer noted that since 2004, approximately 150 pedestrians have been killed annually in traffic-related accidents in New Jersey. Last year, after a three-year downward trend, the number of pedestrian deaths statewide increased to 157.
Fischer said her agency will be working with police to educate both motorists and pedestrians about the change in the law.
"We're asking law enforcement officials, when interacting with motorists and pedestrians, to educate them about the change to the law, as well their respective duties and responsibilities when walking or driving," Fischer said. "Our goal is to reinforce the importance of pedestrians always using crosswalks, their safety zone, and for motorists to recognize that when approaching crosswalks they must be alert for pedestrians and stop and stay stopped to allow them to cross safely.''
"This new law complements our ongoing effort to enhance pedestrian safety on New Jersey's busy roadways," said state Transportation Commissioner Jim Simpson. "Since 2006, NJDOT has completed or funded 205 pedestrian safety initiatives, and just a few months ago we adopted a Complete Streets policy that promotes safe accessibility for all who share our roads."
(Excerpted from: NewJerseyNewsroom.com) |
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| THE SJTPO REGION IN THE NEWS... |
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Rte 55/49 Traffic Light Closer to Green
The folks along and adjacent to Route 49 in east Millville will get their traffic light. But the cost will be the inconvenience of restricted left turns off Route 49.
The city commission meeting room at city hall was about two-thirds full and almost everybody had their own feelings about the state Department of Transportation ultimatum - either a no left turn sign at Route 49 and Crescent Boulevard or no traffic light to ease traffic problems at Route 49 and Route 55 interchange.
Banning a left turn at Crescent would funnel more traffic onto Court Boulevard, providing the traffic volume needed to justify a light, the state says.
After almost an hour of listening to both sides of the issue, Mayor Tim Shannon called for a vote. All but about a half-dozen residents voted in favor of the traffic light, in spite of not liking the trade-off.
(Continued at www.nj.com)
Motorists Frequently Ignore New Crosswalk Law at the Shore
This may not surprise seasoned pedestrians and drivers in New Jersey: Motorists can be impatient and pedestrians can be foolishly bold. Put them together and you get a version of “Chicken” on busy streets, particularly in shore towns teem-ing with people and cars each summer.
But in New Jersey, pedestrians in crosswalks are supposed to have the right of way under a law strengthened in April.
The Press of Atlantic City posted reporters and photographers last week at crosswalks in several shore towns to observe whether motorists are complying with the new state law requiring motorists to stop for, not just yield to, pedestrians in crosswalks - and to remain stopped until they complete their trip across all lanes of traffic. Motorists frequently ignored the law, forcing pedestrians to wait until the coast was clear.
(Continued at PressofAtlanticCity.com) |
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| Seat Belt Use Reaches 93 Percent |
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Nearly complete, the 2010 Seat Belt Observational Survey has identified seat belt use for drivers and passengers at 93 percent, up 3 points from 2009, and cell phone use by drivers at 5 percent, up 1 point from 2009.
The SJTPO funds this study every year to track trends in seat belt use and cell phone use. The 2010 study includes observations at local high schools to determine seat belt use and compliance with the GDL law amendments that went into effect May 1, 2010, including use of the decal on front and rear license plates.
Results of the high school observations show seat belt use at 91 percent, up 6 points from 2008 and compliance with the GDL law decals at only 11 percent.
For more information on the GDL Law, visit www.njteendriving.com.
When the full 2010 Seat Belt Survey Report is complete, it will be available here. |
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Road Safety Audit |
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Atlantic County organized and led a Road Safety Audit on May 25 of Mill Road in Northfield and Egg Harbor Townships. Participating agencies included the Northfield and Egg Harbor Township Police Departments, the Federal Highway Administration, the Rutgers Transportation Safety Resource Center, Atlantic County, and SJTPO. |
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| Say Goodbye to Airport Circle |
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After more than ten years in planning, environmental studies, design, and permitting, the Airport Circle Elimination project was authorized for construction May 24 by the Federal Highway Administration for $6 Million in federal funds. Bids will shortly be released by Atlantic County, and construction should begin in August.
The Circle project was a collaborative effort of many agencies, including Atlantic County, the SJTPO, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration. For many years, Airport Circle was the intersection under County jurisdiction with the highest vehicle crash rate, and this project will enable traffic to flow much more efficiently and safely. It will also support the development of the Next Gen Aviation Research and Technology Park, which is being developed on an adjacent parcel and will eventually house over 2,000 employees.
Contact SJTPO for more information on this exciting and long-awaited project. |
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SJTSA Launches Summer THINK SAFETY Campaign |
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The South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance serves the safety advocacy function of the SJTPO. With nearly 100 motor vehicle fatalities and over 14,000 injuries every year in the region, traffic safety continues to be a priority for the SJTPO.
The Alliance’s Summer THINK SAFETY Campaign is underway. This year’s campaign focuses on pedestrian and motorcycle safety by highlighting two young individuals who lost their lives in motor vehicle collisions in the region. By putting a face with these fatalities, the Alliance hopes to raise awareness and motivate people to slow down, get off the phone, and give driving their full attention. The Alliance has developed a new website for this campaign, www.thinksafetycampaign.com, where people can upload pictures and stories about loved ones they have lost in motor vehicle collisions.
Also new to the Campaign is the Pink Remembrance Tree, a lighted tree dedicated to all who have lost their lives in motor vehicles collisions. The goal is to remind drivers to drive safely. The Feldman family established one at their home in Springfield, PA for Casey for the holidays. Using 18,000 pink lights, the tree continues to get attention and passersby to view it. So far, there are trees in Sea Isle City, Northfield, Millville, and Salem City. The Alliance continues to look for businesses and organizations to sponsor a tree. Visit www.pinkremembrancetree.com for more information.
Up next will be the 2010 Awards Luncheon where the Alliance can recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to traffic safety in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. Nominees may include individuals, organizations, or groups. Nominations are due by September 1. Forms are available online at www.sjtsa.org. |
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| SPOTLIGHT on Bruce Bobbitt (Policy Board) |
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Salem County Freeholder Bruce Bobbitt joined the SJTPO Policy Board at the January 2010 reorganization meeting. He is currently serving his eighth year as Salem County Freeholder. Mr. Bobbitt is a resident of Pilesgrove Township. He served six years as a Pilesgrove Committeeman and two years on Pilesgrove-Woodstown Board of Education. He is a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Bobbitt graduated from Penns Grove Regional High School and is a US Army Vietnam veteran. He has three children. |
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| SJTPO Unveils New Website |
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This Month, the SJTPO unveiled a new, updated website. The website is one of many planned steps to enhance accessibility and better reach the public. The new site includes many new features, including GIS and data depositories, which can serve as resources for the public to download data relevant to South Jersey. It also includes enhanced visualization, links for site translation, searchability, more user-friendly navigation, and includes many opportunities for users to provide feedback to help improve the site in the months to come. For questions, contact Alan Huff (ahuff@sjtpo.org) or via online comment forms.
Some of the New Features Include:
- Site Translation - via Google Translate
- Site Searchability
- Clearer Site Navigation
- Vastly Expanded - Includes numerous resources and topics not previously included on the site, including GIS and Data libraries, archives of past versions of many documents, glossary of commonly used terms, etc.
- Calendar of Current Events - via Google Calendar, which can be linked to your Google Calendar.
- Feedback Form - to allow users to easily provide feedback to help us improve the site (not shown in image)
- Announcements - highlighted on the home page
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ASCE Honors Cape May County Engineer |
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Cape May County Engineer, Dale Foster was recently honored as New Jersey’s Government Engineer of the Year by the New Jersey Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).
Dale has worked closely with the SJTPO since our inception in 1993 and has been responsible for numerous successful federally-funded local lead projects. He also conducted some of the first local Road Safety Audits in New Jersey and is well known throughout the engineering community for his innovative approaches to coastal bridge design and construction.
Way to go, Dale! |
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PUBLIC MEETINGS |
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Regular meetings of the SJTPO Policy Board and the SJTSA are open to the public. Upcoming meetings are as follows, and can also be found on the Home Page.
SJTPO Policy Board
- Monday, September 27, 2010 – 11:00 am
- Monday, November 22, 2010 – 11:00 am
SJTPO Policy Board meetings are held in the Caucus Room, 1st Floor, Vineland City Hall, at 7th and Wood Streets. |
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