[Njagdu] Fw: Driver awareness

Mon Apr 19 23:40:30 UTC 2010

FYI...

Vinny
Vincent Chaney Jr
NFB Diabetes Action Network (DAN) Board 
NFBNJ Diabetes Division President 
NJAGDU Division President
NFBNJ Technology Division Vice President
NFBNJ.ORG Webmaster
----- Original Message ----- 
From: aseanj at netzero.com 
To: vgc732 at optonline.net 
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 6:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Njagdu] Driver awareness

I copied this from NJ dmv website it further clarifies both the law and the fines related to pedestrian safety in both marked and unmarked crssings. See link below. Alice

http://www.dmv-department-of-motor-vehicles.com/NJ_New%20Jersey_dmv_department_of_motor_vehicles.htm

Pedestrian Safety is a two-way street

Pedestrians are the second largest category of motor vehicle deaths and injuries in New Jersey. Children and older people are often victims of traffic accidents.

In 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System reported 4,784 total pedestrian deaths. New Jersey had 171 pedestrian deaths in 2006. Unfortunately, many of the measures that make roads safer for motorists, such as large medians and wide shoulders, make those roads more treacherous for pedestrians. Vehicle-pedestrian collisions have a five percent fatality rate if the car is going 20 mph, but the rate jumps to 85 percent at 40 mph.

Pedestrian activity is at its greatest in densely developed areas, such as cities and town centers, but it also is significant in neighborhoods and along and across suburban roadways. Motorists should take special precautions to watch for pedestrians.
In most cases, pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections. There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if it is not painted as such. This is known as an “unmarked crosswalk.”

Motorists are prohibited from blocking the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or stop sign. A motorist must not stop with a portion of his/her vehicle in the crosswalk area. When a motorist blocks a crosswalk, it forces pedestrians to go around a vehicle, putting them in danger.

A motorist must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian who is crossing at a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) until the pedestrian completes his/her crossing, unless traveling along the half of the roadway on the other side of a safety island from the pedestrian. Motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians or who overtake and pass vehicles that are stopped for pedestrians are subject to a $100 fine and up to 15 days in jail (N.J.S.A. 39:4-36).

Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk (N.J.S.A. 39:4-36). This frequently causes severe injury or death to pedestrians, especially if the passing vehicle is traveling at a high speed. When stopping for a crosswalk on a multi-lane road, a motorist should stop about 30 feet before a crosswalk to avoid blocking visibility of a motorist in the second lane.

Motorists should watch for signs that mark special hazard areas, such as school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, parks and schools, where children are most likely to play or cross the streets. Children chasing a ball, for instance, give no thought to traffic. Small children are hard to see. Always watch for movement around parked vehicles.

Motorists should drive cautiously along roadways with on-street parking, as pedestrians may appear from between parked vehicles. Motorists traveling at lower speeds will have a greater ability to stop the vehicle and avoid potential conflicts with pedestrians.

Pedestrians and joggers should walk or jog off the roadway when sidewalks are available and face traffic. They should cross at crosswalks only on the proper signal, look all ways before crossing, avoid crossing between parked vehicles, and at night, wear light-colored or reflective clothes and carry a white handkerchief or a light. It is not a good practice to wear headphones while walking or jogging near the roadway.

At night, motorists should watch for anyone walking along a highway and exercise due caution. None of the above absolves motorists from their duty to be extra vigilant in watching for pedestrians on the roadway.

Always yield to pedestrians. Be extra careful at intersections, particularly when making an allowed right turn on red. Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians who have the right-of-way within a crosswalk and to those who are crossing at an intersection. Be alert for pedestrians when making turns and entering and exiting driveways, parking lots and alleys.

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Vincent Chaney <vgc732 at optonline.net>
To: New Jersey Association of Guide Dog Users <njagdu at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Njagdu] Driver awareness
Date: Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:15:53 -0400

Tracy,

This is very interesting and would be a good discussion topic. I wonder how 
we could have these points included in any NJ Drivers Ed courses. If we have 
the opportunity to speak at a high school level school, this would be a good 
point to bring up.
This is a good one for us to ponder about and talk about during our monthly 
meetings...

Vinny
Vincent Chaney Jr
NFB Diabetes Action Network (DAN) Board
NFBNJ Diabetes Division President
NJAGDU Division President
NFBNJ Technology Division Vice President
NFBNJ.ORG Webmaster
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: <njagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, March 19, 2010 2:46 PM
Subject: [Njagdu] Driver awareness

Tammi's comments about the man whose dog was killed while they were
crossing the street brings to my mind an issue I'd like to work on, if
anyone has any idea how to do it effectively.
I'm pretty sure that the White Cane laws require a driver to yield to a
blind pedestrian.  If a blind person is in the crosswalk, either with a
dog or a cane, the driver is supposed to wait for the blind person to
cross.
I saw that in the NJ law when I was looking up guide dog law, and I almost
laughed.  I had no idea!  Almost no one does it!  There are streets around
here where I hesitate to cross even with the light because it's very
likely that someone will come zooming around the corner in front of me.
And, if I wait for all the turners, I don't have time to cross.  So, if I
can, I cross someplace less hairy.
My husband and I were shocked a few years ago in San Francisco.  We
crossed a street at the wrong time, not being familiar with the traffic
patterns, and the drivers waited for us to get across!  We were amazed.
Wouldn't happen In Jersey.  I don't think it happens in California all the
time, either.

Is there a way to educate drivers not to turn on top of pedestrians, or
especially blind pedestrians?  I don't want to make us out to be poor
pathetic people, but I don't want to get run over by some guy who thinks
somehow I will jump out of the way or something.  Ben is very good with
traffic--it's one of the reasons I chose TSE--but we're only flesh and
blood, and there's only so much we can do.

I remember Marion saying how his chapter set up a sting of sort, and had a
blind guy crossing the street and a cop ticketing the people who cut him
off.  I've mentioned it to the New York City chapter, but they were not
interested. Is it such a bad idea?  Is there a better way?

Could a question about White Cane laws be added to the driver's test?
Could there be something about it in Drivers Ed for high school kids?  Or
is it hopeless, and we just have to take our chances?  Well, we have to
take our chances anyway, but maybe we could improve the odds?
Any ideas?
Tracy

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