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With an average of 150 pedestrian fatalities in New Jersey each year, legislation sponsored by Robert Karabinchak, Lisa Swain, Sterley Stanley and Carol Murphy requiring safer practices by drivers overtaking or passing pedestrians was signed into law.
The law implores motor vehicle operators to approach people who are walking or riding devices such as bicycles and scooters with caution. Drivers will be required to change into another lane or leave a distance of at least four feet between their vehicle and the pedestrian.
Under the law, if a driver is unable to change lanes or leave four feet between themselves and a pedestrian, they must reduce their speed to 25 miles per hour and be prepared to stop.
Drivers can only pass the pedestrian if it would not endanger the safety of anyone on the roadway – including the pedestrian and other drivers.
Drivers who fail to comply with the safety precautions provided under the law and injure someone will be subject to fines and/or motor vehicle penalty points.
To learn more about how you can make New Jersey roads safe, visit BIANJ's traffic safety website, JerseyDrives.com.
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