Westfield Crosswalk Crackdown

WESTFIELD, NJ - With spring in the air and the increase of foot traffic in downtown Westfield Police are warning motorists that they will be conducting enforcement of pedestrian crossing laws.

"All motorists are required to STOP and remained STOPPED for pedestrians crossing in marked crosswalks," officials said. "All motorists are required to YIELD to pedestrians crossing in unmarked crosswalks."

For motorists the law states the driver of a vehicle must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, and 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.

If you don't comply, here is what it will cost you:

• 2 POINTS (driver's license)
• $200 FINE (plus court costs)
• 15 DAYS COMMUNITY SERVICE
• INSURANCE SURCHARGES

For pedestrians there are rules as well. 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. There is a S54 fine for failure to observe the law.

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