Full Notification

Wyckoff Police Department

___________________________________________________

TO: ALL
FROM: Lieutenant David Murphy
DATE: August 19, 2016
CONTACT: Lieutenant David Murphy (201) 891-2121 DISPATCH
[email protected]
For Immediate Release:

MOTORIST SAFETY ALERT
SCHOOL TO OPEN SOON!

September is the month that schools reopen and more children are walking and bicycling to and from school.

Wyckoff Police Department offers the following safety reminders for motorists:

• Observe the 25 mph vehicle speed limit in school zones.
• Be aware that all roads in the Township of Wyckoff have a 25 mph speed limit unless otherwise posted.
• Observe traffic laws regarding school buses. Never drive past a school bus with flashing lights.
• Be aware that New Jersey Motor Vehicle Laws require that the driver of a vehicle must STOP for a pedestrian crossing the roadway.
• Motorists should always obey the instructions of the school crossing guards.
• Motorists should always be alert and drive carefully around the Township especially during the hours when children are going to and from school and our crossing guards are in the roadway.

School crossing guards are dedicated individuals who are on their posts through all weather conditions ensuring the safety of our children who walk or bike to school. With the cooperation of drivers on our roadways and the safety provided by our school crossing guards, the Wyckoff Police Department works together to make our community as safe as possible for our school children.

The Township of Wyckoff, through public information announcements, its newsletters and school crosswalk signs attempts to alert motorists to school crosswalk posts and to alert motorists to their responsibility to drive safely, at or below speed limits and to drive carefully. Remember speed limits are maximum speed limits when conditions permit.



DRIVER ALERT
DRIVER’S REQUIRED TO OBEY INSTRUCTIONS FROM SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS:

New Jersey State law 39:4-80.1 requires motorists to obey instructions from School Crossing Guards. This law establishes a penalty for failure to comply with School Crossing Guard signal. A Court appearance is required. The first offense fine is not less than $150.00 and license revocation of not more than three months. The second offense fine to be not less than $300.00.

Wyckoff Police Department takes this opportunity to say thank you to all of the school crossing guards that work for the Wyckoff Police Department. These dedicated individuals are on their posts through all weather conditions insuring the safety of our children who walk to school each day. Motorists are also reminded to follow all speed laws and drive with caution; most especially during the hours when children are going to and from school, and our crossing guards are in the roadway. With the safety provided by our school crossing guards, and the cooperation of drivers on our roadways, we work together to make our community as safe as possible for our school children.


STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS:

MOTORISTS in New Jersey MUST stop for pedestrians in a marked crosswalk. Failure to observe the law may subject you to one or more of the following:

2 POINTS

$200 FINE (plus court costs)

15 DAYS COMMUNITY SERVICE

INSURANCE SURCHARGES

NEW JERSEY STATUTE 39:4-36
Driver to stop for pedestrian:
exceptions, violations. penalties.


NEW JERSEY STATUTE 39:4-36
A. The driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, but shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within an 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.



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.


B. A person violating this section shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine to be imposed by the court in the amount of $200. The court may also impose a term of community service not to exceed 15 days.

C. Of each fine imposed and collected pursuant to subsection B. of the section, $100 shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer who shall annually deposit the moneys into the “Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Education Fund” created by section 1 of PL 2005, c 84 (C.39:4-36.2)



PEDESTRIANS MUST obey pedestrian signals and use crosswalks at signalized intersections. Both carry a $54.00 fine for failure to observe the law.
(C.39:4-32 and 33)


GENERAL SAFETY TIPS FOR ALL:

Pedestrians:
Always cross at corners, within marked crosswalks where available.

If crossing in other locations, yield the right of way to vehicles. Failure to obey the law carries a $54 fine (court costs additional; C.39:4-32, 33)

Look left, right and left again before crossing. Watch for turning cars.

Always walk facing traffic.

Obey traffic signals, especially “Walk/Don’t Walk.”

Remain alert! Don’t assume that cars are going to stop.

Wear reflective clothing when walking at night.

Stay sober. Walking while impaired greatly increases your chances of being struck.



Motorists:

Stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks. Failure to stop carries a $200 (court costs additional) fine, a 2 point license penalty, 15 days community service, and insurance surcharges. (C.39:4-36)

Watch for pedestrians when turning right on red.

Obey speed limits.

Do not block or park in crosswalks.

Keep your windshield clean for maximum visibility.

Be alert for pedestrians at all times.


Children and senior citizens are at a higher risk of being struck by a motor vehicle. Special emphasis must be made to educate children and seniors about the importance of walking safely.



Children:

Cross at intersections only.

Never cross from in-between parked cars.

Before crossing, look left, right and left again and listen for traffic.

Always walk facing traffic.

Wear light colored or reflective clothing at night.

If there is no sidewalk available, walk as far off the roadway as possible on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

Obey all traffic signs and signals.


Seniors:

Walk on sidewalks and cross only at corners, within marked crosswalks where available.

If crossing in other locations, yield the right of way to vehicles. Failure to obey the law carries a $54 fine (court costs additional; C.39:4-32, 33)

Always walk facing traffic.

Wear bright-colored or reflective clothing, especially at night.

Look left, right and left again before crossing and be on the lookout for turning vehicles.

Make eye contact with the driver before crossing in front of a vehicle.

Learn the proper use of “Walk/Don’t Walk” signals.

Use the buddy system. Walk and cross with others when possible.

If possible do not walk at night or during bad weather such as snow, rain or ice.


The Wyckoff Police Department reminds all motorists to drive with caution and be aware that speed limits on municipal roads are typically 25 m.p.h. Be a courteous driver and at the same time, obey the law.