Pedestrian safety is no joke

Although motor-vehicle deaths are down by nearly 9½% statewide from 2011 to this point, pedestrian deaths continue to climb – spiking by 15% to 136 so far this year. On Thanksgiving 2010, seven of eight people who died in traffic accidents in New Jersey were pedestrians.

It could simply be a function of the economy that more people are hoofing it instead of driving or taking the bus. Or it could be that suburbs are filled with cars.

Jerry DeMarco
Publisher/Editor

In the end, authorities say, it’s simply a matter of EVERYONE paying attention.

Despite all our advances in technology, they’ve yet to invent a phone that sounds a screeching alarm when an oncoming vehicle is about to kill — or nearly kill — us.

It’s gotten so alarming that authorities this season are threatening to give tickets to those who “fail to use due care when crossing.”

• BREAKING NEWS: A 72-year-old woman who was struck just after 7 o’clock Monday night in Hackensack died at HUMC at 2:15 this morning, police said. Janina Baclawska was crossing South Summit Avenue when a turning vehicle driven by a 64-year-old Hasbrouck Heights woman struck her. No summonses had been issued, although an investigation was continuing, Detective Capt. Thomas Salcedo said.

New Jersey law requires you to obey pedestrian signals and use crosswalks at signalized intersections, as well as to yield the right of way to traffic if you aren’t crossing within a crosswalk or at an intersection.

The ticket carries a $54 fine, plus court costs.

Motorists violating the state’s pedestrian law face a $200 fine, plus court costs, and 2 points on their licenses. They can also be subject to 15 days of community service and insurance surcharges.

We have literally reached a crossroads in our so-called evolution.

“We are concerned by the recent trend in pedestrian fatalities and are asking motorists and pedestrians to be mindful of each other on the roads,” said state Division of Highway Traffic Safety Acting Director Gary Poedubicky.

“Both groups share a responsibility to follow our laws,” he said. “Drivers need to stop and stay stopped for pedestrians at crosswalks and pedestrians should only cross at crosswalks. Obeying the law will help ensure a safe holiday season.”

So instead of taking things for granted when you hit the bricks, consider ways of not hitting the pavement:

• Be particularly wary of nearby moving vehicles. You don’t know what could happen, and you should be ready in case something does;

• Consider how some people drive — while texting, having a phone conversation, fiddling with the stereo — or drunk. Assuming that ANY driver will see you is taking a huge risk;

• Don’t get lost in a song, a text, a phone conversation, a talking book — or deep thought. Know what’s going on around you. That includes HEARING as well as seeing (Think of it this way: You could get mugged);

• Cross at crosswalks and permitted areas only. Why increase the already existing risk – or end up with a ticket?

• Don’t assume traffic will stop because you entered a crosswalk. This is New Jersey, remember.

• If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic and make eye contact with motorists. Yes: EYE contact.

• You can laugh if you want, but drunk walking is extremely dangerous. Many people have been crushed after losing their balance and falling into the path of a moving vehicle, and that includes trains. Get a ride, sleep over, have someone escort you to your door — or don’t drink too much.

• One other thing: Nighttime accounts for only 20 percent of car journeys but 40 percent of all fatal accidents. Think about it.

ANOTHER WARNING: If your car breaks down on a highway, the NJ State Police advise, pull as far from traffic as possible and keep your flashers on. If the car stops dead, DON’T get out until you and your passengers, if any, can see a clear break. And DON’T stand around the car, especially on rainy or icy roads, for obvious reasons.

During last year’s five-day Thanksgiving holiday period, 11 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in New Jersey. Six of those deaths were pedestrians and four of those were under the influence of either drugs or alcohol.

So, obviously, the warnings are more than just talk.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Hackensack and receive free news updates.