Area police participate in safety enforcement
Since July, law enforcement officers from Cherry Hill have been participating in Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Education Program designed to increase awareness about safely sharing the road.
New Jersey ranks as the 11th worst state in the nation for pedestrian safety.
In 2012, the state experienced 558 total motor vehicle-involved fatalities; 165 of those, or nearly 30 percent, involved pedestrians, thousands more were injured. Relative to this program, CHPD’s focus is on educating motorists in pedestrian right of way laws as well as educating pedestrians on proper crossing. In specifically marked crosswalks, motorists are required to stop and remain stopped so that pedestrians can safely cross. Failure to do so could result in a $200-plus fine and points against your license.
Pedestrians must also obey traffic signs and signals including “Walk/Don’t Walk” signals and must cross the roadway at approved intersections and crosswalks. Failure to do so could result in a $54 fine.
The Division of Highway Traffic and Safety offers the following tips for safe passage of roadways:
• Wear bright colored clothing, especially at night.
• Walk on sidewalks or paths and always cross at the corner, within marked crosswalks.
• Do not try to cross mid-block or between parked cars.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing and be on the lookout for turning vehicles.
