Most of us encounter crosswalks in New Jersey every day, whether we are behind the wheel or walking to our destination. Understanding the proper procedure to follow when approaching a crosswalk is highly important because confusion between the driver and the pedestrian can lead to injuries and legal repercussions resulting from an accident. A ticket for N.J.S. 39:4-36 can be a serious moving violation.
Police departments all across New Jersey are showing an increased interest in cracking down on crosswalk violations. Both jaywalkers and drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk are being targeted by law enforcement in order to better protect the lives of New Jersey residents. By understanding the correct procedures, you can help yourself to avoid becoming entangled in these situations. If you have been involved in a crosswalk violation, whether as a driver, a jaywalker, or a victim, please do not hesitate to contact Corey Morano, Esq. for a free consultation at 201-598-5019 or by email at [email protected] today!
Getting a ticket for Failure to Yield to Pedestrian can be a serious ticket and two points on your license. The full law can be found in the statute below.
39:4-36. Driver to yield to pedestrians, exceptions; violations, penalties.
39:4-36. a. The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except at crosswalks when the movement of traffic is being regulated by police officers or traffic control signals, or where otherwise regulated by municipal, county, or State regulation, and except where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided:
(1) The driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway within a marked crosswalk, when the pedestrian is upon, or within one lane of, the half of the roadway, upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning. As used in this paragraph, “half of the roadway” means all traffic lanes conveying traffic in one direction of travel, and includes the entire width of a one-way roadway.
(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.
(3) Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
(4) Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
(5) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a driver from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway. Nothing contained herein shall relieve a pedestrian from using due care for his safety.
b. A person violating any paragraph of subsection a. of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, pay a fine to be imposed by the court in the amount of $200. The court may also impose upon a person violating any paragraph of subsection a. of this section, a penalty of community service not to exceed 15 days in such form and on such terms as the court shall deem appropriate. If the violation results in serious bodily injury to a pedestrian, the person convicted of the violation shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100 or more than $500, and may additionally be subject to a sentence of imprisonment not to exceed 25 days, or a license suspension not to exceed six months, or both, in the discretion of the court. As used in this section, “serious bodily injury” means serious bodily injury as defined in subsection b. of N.J.S.2C:11-1.
c. Of each fine imposed and collected pursuant to subsection b. of this section, $100 shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer who shall annually deposit the moneys into the “Pedestrian Safety Enforcement and Education Fund” created by section 1 of P.L.2005, c.84 (C.39:4-36.2).
d. In the event of a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian within a marked crosswalk, or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, there shall be a permissive inference that the driver did not exercise due care for the safety of the pedestrian.
Call me at 201-598-5019 or email me at [email protected] today for a free consultation and learn how I can help you with any questions you may have.