A woman crosses Mechanic Street at the interesection of Broad in downtown Red Bank Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
A new, statewide vehicle-related law went into effect Thursday, with the aim of improving pedestrian safety. But will it?
Drivers must now completely “stop and stay stopped” when someone is in a crosswalk, according to a campaign launched by the state Attorney General’s office. Prior law said yielding would do, but officials cited increased fatality rates as the cause to tighten down on drivers. Violating the law carries a fine of $200. (Pedestrians may also be cited and fined $54 for failing to use due care when crossing.)
redbankgreen spent a good part of the sun-splashed day posing a question to folks in Red Bank and the surrounding area: Do you think this law will actually make your town safer?
We got a mixed bag of responses.
“In theory it’s a good law but I don’t know. It depends on the driver. It should make the town safer.” Jessica Patel, of Fair Haven, and a mother of two with another one due any day now.
“It should help, but we need local law enforcement officers in this town to enforce it. That means we need to increase foot patrols and whatever else is necessary to make it clear that our community is serious about this.” Alexis Gasirowski, a Red Bank lawyer
“Absolutely I think it’ll make a difference. I’d like to hope so. I know I don’t have an extra 200 bucks laying around.” Andrew Roth, 23, of Red Bank
“Yes. Stopping for pedestrians is the right thing to do. It’s safer for the children.” Linda Smith, a Rumson mother
“It would be nice if it really worked, but it’s like cell phones.” Carolyn Cashion, of Rumson.
