FLORENCE — The Police Department has a new program designed to educate New Jersey motorists about safely sharing the roads with pedestrians.
"New Jersey’s current stop and remain stopped for pedestrians law has been in effect since April 1, 2010 yet the compliance rate by motorists has been minimal," said Chief John Bunce. "Through this unique enforcement effort, we can add teeth to the existing law, increase public awareness about pedestrian safety and ultimately reduce injuries and deaths."
Known as the "Cops in Crosswalks" program, this initiative places undercover police officers, posing as pedestrians, at crosswalks in the community that have a high incidence of pedestrian/motorist conflicts. Motorists who fail to stop and remain stopped for undercover officers are pulled over and educated by uniformed officers a short distance away.
The Florence Township Police Department started the program on Wednesday, Sept. 3 to prepare motorists for the start of the school year. During that two-hour detail, 32 motorists were stopped for violating the crosswalk law. The police plan on having additional details in the coming weeks at different intersections throughout the township.
"Each year in New Jersey, pedestrians account for 20 to 25 percent of all traffic fatalities; that’s double the national average," said Gary Poedubicky, acting director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety. "This effort will help address the disturbing trend of increased pedestrian crashes through both education and enforcement, and send a strong message to motorists that failure to give pedestrians the opportunity to cross safely won’t be tolerated."
Violators of the law face a $200 fine (plus court costs and fees) and two points on their driving record.
"The purpose of the program is not to write tickets," Chief Bunce said. "We want motorists to learn about the life-saving importance of stopping for pedestrians. By doing that, compliance with the law will increase and crashes involving pedestrians will be reduced."

