the rix mix

Effective April 1:

N.J. drivers must make full stop for pedestrians or face hefty fines

Motorists, previously required to yield to pedestrians, will have to come to full stops and remain stopped or risk $200 tickets (double the current fine) and two points on their licenses.

Pedestrians can be fined $54 for not obeying traffic signals.

The drivers who weren't yielding aren't going to stop now. Many drivers on the streets around here deliberately, arrogantly brush pedestrians back when we're crossing at the corner with the light - the little lighted man. Drivers want to make their turns, & if they'll risk colliding with on-coming tractor trailer trucks to do it, a pedestrian is just a minor impediment. The driver may be in an old SUV, yapping on the phone, & there's a chance he or she doesn't even have a legal license, being "undocumented" in every other way.

There's also the "Jersey way" of crossing streets. This involves jaywalking across a lane, toe-hanging on the white line until the other lane is clear. Sometimes it's safer than crossing at the corner.

Labels: New Jersey