Crime & Safety
In Ocean City, a Campaign Against Crosswalk Chaos
The Ocean City Police Department runs an awareness campaign on the New Jersey Crosswalk Law.
Even more than three years after the New Jersey Stop at Crosswalks Law went into effect (on April 1, 2010), the Ocean City Police Department is still trying to educate drivers and pedestrians about the law's requirements.
The department staged an awareness campaign Thursday afternoon with an officer in plain clothes attempting to cross the four lanes of West Avenue at 35th Street. Drivers who failed to yield were pulled over and given a warning and a pamphlet with information on the new law.
A similar campaign two weeks ago yielded 105 warnings in four hours.
Few issues stir more emotion than the daily battle of wills between pedestrians and drivers on the crowded summer streets of Ocean City. Emboldened by the new measure, many pedestrians show blind faith and cross in front of cars. Ignorant of the new law, many drivers fail to stop for pedestrians.
Thursday's operation was aimed at educating drivers and funded by a state grant, but other campaigns have targeted pedestrians, according to Sgt. Brian Hopely, head of the Traffic Safety Unit.
"Pedestrians feel empowered by the new law," Capt. Steve Ang said.
He said pedestrians often feel they have no responsibility under the new law. "That's not the case," he said.
"Two people have to cooperate and use some common sense and courtesy," Ang said of drivers and pedestrians.
The new law requires vehicles to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk or crossing at an intersection.
Pedestrians are required to use crosswalks and to follow signals when they are at intersections with traffic lights. They also are advised to make eye contact with drivers before stepping into the path of traffic.
- Read more on the New Jersey Crosswalk Law.
- See some FAQs on the new law in this Patch article.
They used a cone set up on the side of the road 183 feet from the intersection as a visual marker for a safe stopping distance for approaching cars. Wilson did not step into the crosswalk when cars were within 183 feet.
West Avenue is particularly dangerous for pedestrians — even if a car in one lane of traffic stops for a pedestrian, a second car often pulls out from behind the stopped car and continues through the intersection.
Police have been targeting the worst intersections in Ocean City during similar campaigns.
On Thursday, most drivers followed the law and stopped to let Wilson cross. The few who failed to stop received a warning.
A violation normally could be subject to two points on a driving record, a $200 fine, 15 days of community service and insurance surcharges.
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