LETTER TO THE EDITOR from Longport Mayor, Nick Russo> Time to return to crosswalk common sense.
Well, another summer season is here and another stressful time for all the drivers of the Downbeach communities.
The crosswalk law again is causing significant undo confusion and danger.
Hordes of visitors are no longer looking each way before crossing the street, but are rather just stepping directly off the curbs and basically telling drivers,“You have to stop for me; it’s the law!”
Many are even crossing against the traffic lights believing drivers are required to stop solely because they suddenly and unexpectedly possessed the whim to enter the crosswalk. Even more are not even utilizing designated cross-walks and expecting drivers to stop.
How did we, as a community, allow this to happen? What caused this recent pedestrian total disregard for common sense?
What happened to “look both ways” before safely crossing a street?
The answer is simple. The Legislature created a law that is 506 words and the state is enforcing this law by posting signs summarizing these 500 plus words in just four words: “Must Stop For Pedestrians.” This is a mistake and the most plausible explanation for the fiasco.
I note N.J.A.C. 39:4-36 (2)“No pedestrian shall leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield or stop.”
I am a retired law enforcement administrator, and thus I am certainly sensitized to the health, safety and welfare of all our citizens. However, to re-educate our communities would be a Herculean task if not a totally impossible and fruitless effort. My solution is to repeal the crosswalk law and go back to the basic common sense approach to crossing streets.
Let’s stop trying to legislate common sense and return to“look both ways before you cross.”
Nick Russo, Mayor of Longport Borough
