| Author |
Message |
    
joso
Citizen
Username: Joso
Post Number: 103
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 1:01 pm: | 
|
Last week or so I noted the installation of "Stop and Yield to Pedestrian" signs at selected locations on South Orange Avenue and Valley Street. These are similar to the signs in Maplewood Village that require cars to stop and let pedestrians cross the Maplewood Avenue. I tried one by stepping off the curb on SOA as if to cross the street. The car stoppped, but the driver looked surprised and irritated. Is it the intent to leave these signs in place to encourage a more pedestrian friendly downtown? If so, it would seem the signs should be bigger and bolder, and clearly spell out the drivers requirement to stop. This is particularly important as the traffic moves at a much higher rate than in Maplewood Village. If not they may be more dangerous than helpful.
|
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 615
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 2:09 pm: |
|
joso: It is part of an effort to get drivers to stop for pedestrians. The problem with the larger signs is they get knocked over by cars and trucks.
Several years ago, cars never stopped on Sloan street for pedestrians, but now it is pretty common.
Maplewood has similar issues on Springfield Ave with traffic and cars not stopping.
Drivers are supposed to stop anytime a pedestrian is crossing and the signs are really supposed to just be reminders. |
joso
Citizen
Username: Joso
Post Number: 104
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 2:47 pm: |
|
MRosner: Thanks for the reply. I had no idea that drivers are supposed to stop and yield to pedestrians, without a sign. I know this is the law (and scrupulously adhered to ) in California. I think that the signs are a great idea to ease crossings, I just worry that pedestrians will suffer dangerously in a misunderstanding with drivers over this not commonly followed rule of the road. |
sac
Citizen
Username: Sac
Post Number: 693
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 16, 2003 - 8:01 pm: |
|
What is the obligation of pedestrians under this law? I was of the impression that pedestrians are to use crosswalks and not just "step off the curb" but people seem to cross anywhere they choose in Maplewood Village. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 617
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 9:52 am: |
|
Pedestrians should use crosswalks.
I will check on the exact law. |
Elizabeth
Citizen
Username: Elizabeth
Post Number: 246
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 7:34 am: |
|
In Toronto pedestrians about to cross at any of the many zebra crossings just stick out their arm to signal their intention to use the crossing and then head out briskly and without fear into traffic. Shortly after we moved back to the States, I was walking in our new downtown with my seven year old daughter and told her we'd cross the street here. She threw out her little arm and immediately headed out into the street. I had to grab her collar and yank her back. It was quite awhile before I got over my fear that her reflexive trust in crosswalks would lead to her untimely death! |
paddy
Citizen
Username: Paddy
Post Number: 130
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 8:19 am: |
|
The signs and law work better in Maplewood because cars aren't doing more than 20 mph anyway and reaction time is quicker. Unfortunately, the approach on South Orange Ave from the west is a 40 mph zone and everyone likes to use the slope of the hill as a slingshot into the village.
|
ReallyTrying
Citizen
Username: Reallytrying
Post Number: 154
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 11:16 am: |
|
New Jersey Permanent Statutes
TITLE 39 MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGULATION
39:4-36. Driver to yield to pedestrian at crosswalk; exceptions; vehicles approaching stopped vehicle from rear; yield of right-of-way by pedestrian
The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except at crosswalks when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police officers or traffic control signals, or where otherwise prohibited by municipal, county, or State regulation, and except where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided, but 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 yield. Nothing contained herein shall relieve a pedestrian from using due care for his safety.
Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Nothing contained herein shall relieve a driver from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway.
|
R S
Citizen
Username: Rollins23
Post Number: 11
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2003 - 3:41 pm: |
|
Having just recently moved to South Orange, I am shocked at how the cars speed up and down South Orange Avenue with no regard to pedestrians.
My wife and I stood at the cross walk for nearly five minutes before we could get across, and that was because no cars were coming, not because anyone stopped. This happens almost every time we venture to the stores along the avenue.
Why aren't these people getting tickets for failing to yield, let alone speeding? Wouldn't it be worth it to have a SOPD cruiser parked on SO ave, even an empty one?
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page