Hillsborough Township Supports 'Street Smart NJ' Pedestrian Safety Campaign

According to the Township of Hillsborough

“Hillsborough Township is committed to the safety of our residents and those individuals who work and travel through Hillsborough. The Township supports the “Street Smart NJ” Pedestrian Safety Campaign in an effort to raise awareness on pedestrian traffic laws and public safety,” stated Committeeman Carl Suraci, Liaison to Public Safety.

Motorists are reminded of the following legal requirements; drivers must stop for pedestrians in crosswalk to allow for their safe crossing of the roadway. When a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to allow a pedestrian to cross, any other vehicle approaching from the rear or from the opposite direction shall not pass the stopped vehicle.

Pedestrians are reminded of the following legal requirements:

• No pedestrian is permitted to walk into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is not possible for the vehicle to stop.
  

• Pedestrians should always use the crosswalk, for their own safety and the safety of motorists.
  

• If no crosswalk is nearby, they must cross at a right angle to the roadway.
  

• Pedestrians should always use sidewalks when they are available.

• When there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the extreme left side of the roadway or the shoulder facing traffic.
  

• Pedestrians should never cross a roadway that is separated by a median barrier unless a pedestrian crosswalk is available.

• Pedestrians are responsible for exercising due care for their own safety.
  

“In addition to general pedestrian safety, the Hillsborough Police Department reminds motorists about the laws regarding school buses,” added Committeeman Carl Suraci.

Motorists are required to stop for stopped school buses with activated warning lights, in either direction.

When a school bus is stopped in the opposite direction across a divided median, motorists are required to reduce their speed of travel to 10 miles per hour and safely pass the vehicle. Motorists that fail to stop for buses are subject to violation of New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.) 39:4-128.1.

Ensuing penalties are 5 points as per the Division of Motor Vehicle Commission, in addition to the following:

• Any person who violates any provision of this shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00,

• Imprisonment for not more than 15 days or community service for 15 days in such form and on such terms as the court shall deem appropriate,

• Or both for the first offense, and a fine not less than $250.00, imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both for each subsequent offense.

The penalties shall be enforced and recovered pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5 o fTitle 39 of the Revised Statutes. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle that was involved in the violation of this section was the person who committed the act.